Firebugs torch church building in Maybole

Aug 8 2008

A CHURCH outbuilding was set alight in what appeared to be wilful fireraising.

Two boys were seen leaving the building, close to Our Lady and St Cuthbert's Church in Maybole.

A Tesco delivery driver was just leaving the church, when a nearby resident alerted him.

She said she had seen two boys enter the building, and it was now on fire.

The Tesco man used fire extinguishers to try and douse the fire, but it continued to spread to the roof.

A fire rescue team arrived from Ayr and extinguished the fire, dismantling part of the roof to ensure

the fire was properly out.

It appeared that the building’s contents had been set alight, and the fire quickly spread to the roof.

Now the outbuildings will have to be either partly or fully demolished.

Parish priest Fr Stephen McGrattan said lives could have been in danger, including those of the children at the scene.

He added: “Fortunately there was no injury or loss of life, but the damage to the church outbuildings and neighbours’ garages and gardens could have been much more serious.

“Thank you to neighbours, Willie Fraser from Tesco, the fire service and parishioners who helped deal with the incident.

“The buildings, which were used for storage, have been cleared and sealed off until they can be pulled down and the area made safe.

“I would urge all parents to do everything they can to highlight the grave danger children place themselves and others in when playing with fire.“

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon last week.