Suspected Arson targets West London Church

Case information
Incident date
Country
United Kingdom
Place
London
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Arson
  • Vandalism (all)
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Image credit: Facebook

A major fire severely damaged the former King’s Hall Methodist Church in Southall, West London. Police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspected arson.

A large fire broke out at King’s Hall Methodist Church on South Road in Southall, West London, on Sunday night. Emergency services responded after numerous witnesses reported seeing flames engulfing the building, prompting a major response from firefighters. Significant parts of the church, including the ground floor and roof, were destroyed by the blaze before it was brought under control. Authorities have since confirmed that the incident is being investigated as possible arson.

Det Insp Richard Cheshire, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “We firmly believe this fire was started deliberately and it is only good fortune that prevented this from being a very much more serious incident.” The church was currently unused, rendering it more vulnerable to such an attack.

Source: FireRiskHeritage / TheTelegraph

Sources