DETECTIVES are following what is now being investigated as an arson attack on the Church of Ascension in Lower Broughton. The Greater Manchester Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
The Church of Ascension in Lower Broughton caught fire on Sunday night with Emergency services arriving at the church at 11:20 pm Sunday night following reports of smoke and fire. The flames were visible across the city as they arrived and six fire engines and aerial platforms needed to be used to gain control.
Know the man in this CCTV that Salford detectives want to speak to about church arson? GMP appeal: https://t.co/vsn4ul7Gwe
— GMP City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) February 14, 2017
The fire service said that it was under control by 2 am on Monday, but to avoid the area as fire engines and the aerial lift would remain on site to control any hotspots that might have re-lit in the morning.
A prayer station has been set up @ManCathedral for the congregation of the Church of the Ascension and people of Salford. pic.twitter.com/3RFB9SZyF0
— Manchester Cathedral (@ManCathedral) February 13, 2017
Jaime Wise, chair of the Friends of Green Grosvenor Park, which is across the road from the Church of Ascension, has set up a Crowdfunding page here to raise one hundred thousand pounds towards the restoration of the building. On the page he writes “Built in 1869 this grade 2 listed building survived two World Wars it was destroyed in less than an hour by what police believe was an arson attack. Investigators and structural engineers are hopeful the building can be saved.”
If you have any information concerning the CCTV footage, get in touch with the police, or with Crimestoppers, anonymously.
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