Church blaze was arson, say police

Oct 11 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A BLAZE which destroyed a church described as the "the jewel in the heart of Erdington" was started deliberately, police chiefs confirmed today.

Detectives said they were treating the fire which engulfed St Barnabas Church as arson following the results of forensic tests at the scene.

The 18th Century Grade II listed building was gutted by the fire which was first spotted at about 6am last Thursday.

More than 75 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the flames which shot more than 100ft in the air and could be seen for miles around.

Det Chief Insp Ron Winch, from Queen's Road CID, described the incident as a wanton and appalling act of vandalism and today called for anyone with information about who started the fire to come forward.

He said: "The scene has been subjected to quite a detailed forensic examination by our own scenes of crime officer and the specialist Fire Investigation Team.

"We are satisfied that there are grounds to treat the fire as suspicious.

"There are a number of leads that we are following up."

Police said they would not release details of exactly how and where the fire was started while their investigations continued.

Footage from a battery of CCTV cameras installed in Erdington High Street a few years ago was being analysed in the hope it could provide crucial details of the movement of people around the church that morning. "We have our own suspicions around individuals," he added.

"We need witnesses to come forward and we still need information so we can put that together with our own intelligence.

"The church is such an important part of Erdington and the local community. This has struck a chord with them and they have been magnificent.

"Somebody out there knows what has gone on and who is responsible.

"I would appeal to their sensibilities and ask them to come forward."

Church leaders have pledged to rebuild St Barnabas and insurers predicted it would rise from the ashes within two years.

Anyone with information can call police at Queens Road CID on 0845 113 5000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.

f=XClearfaceGothicLH-Bold CRIME: oArson behind blaze which devastated church

f=XZapfDingbatsno HEARTBREAKING... the aftermath of the fire at St Barnabas Church. |Picture: Aaron Manning