Church targeted in arson attack

Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to get into the smoke-filled church

Firefighters have put out a fire at a church that appeared to have been started deliberately.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it arrived at St Mary's Church in Market Drayton at 07:51 BST on Monday to find a large oak door was alight and the fire was in danger of spreading to curtains and wooden roof timbers.

Firefighters said the building was heavily smoke-logged inside and the door was badly damaged.

West Mercia Police is now carrying out further investigations.

Craig Jackson, from the fire service, said investigators wanted to hear about anyone seen near the building between 22:30 on Sunday and 08:00 on Monday.

A large oak door was badly damaged

The fire service said the smoke inside the church meant firefighters had to go in wearing breathing apparatus and relying on a thermal imaging camera.

After the fire was extinguished, a large fan was used to clear the smoke.