Arson Attack at Laindon Church
Authorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.
On November 25, a fire gutted the Elim Pentecostal Church in Laindon, Essex, with Essex Fire and Rescue confirming the blaze was deliberately set. Two crews from Basildon extinguished the fire at the heavily smoke-logged site by 10:20 p.m..
The church, purchased in July by Salvation Chapel International, had suffered repeated break-ins in which property was smashed and racist and homophobic slurs, including a swastika, were daubed on the walls. Pastor Daniel Berkoh stated, “This has been going on since July, but the incident on Tuesday was another step up; we have reported all the incidents to the police but [to] set fire to the building is just awful."
Source: Echo News
Image: Wikimedia. By William Metcalfe, CC BY-SA 2.0
