Unholy fire spares church

– Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE church was deliberately set on fire last week, shocking church patrons and the local community.
Police said someone poured an accelerant underneath the door of St Agatha’s Catholic Church on Sladen Street, then lit it some time early last Monday morning.
The fire caused significant damage to the double glass doors and the carpet inside.
But there was not any other fuel to burn and the fire burnt itself out.
Police said this had been very lucky, and if the fire had spread the results could have been devastating.
Parish priest Father Andrew Wise said at Masses on the weekend that patrons thanked God for sparing the church and for ensuring the fire didn’t get inside the church.
“We were very shocked and disturbed by it,” Fr Wise said.
“We cannot believe that someone would attempt to set the church on fire.”
Fr Wise said repairs had been completed and the church would now look at upgrading security.
“We just have to investigate the attack and look at further security measures,” he said.
“It is very unfortunate that we have to do that but that’s the way the world is.”
Anyone with information about the arson attack is asked to contact the officer in charge at Cranbourne Uniform Police on 5995 4681.