Community suspects arson in church fire

NEW DELHI: A substantial part of St Sebastian's Catholic Church in Dilshad Garden was gutted by a fire at its premises early Monday morning. The parish community suspects it was the act of miscreants. Police have registered a case under Section 436 IPC (mischief) on the complaint of the Delhi arch-diocese.

“Samples have been picked up from the spot by the fire department and a forensic science lab team. We are waiting for their report to ascertain the cause of fire. We have received a complaint in this regard, following which we have registered an FIR and further investigations are underway,” said a senior police official on condition of anonymity.

The blaze broke out at around 6:30 am, following which the security guard informed parish priest Antony Francis who summoned the fire birgade.

“We received a call around 7:25 am about a blaze in the furniture. Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot, which controlled the blaze by 8:30 am,” said a fire department official.

“The altar, sacristy and the first floor balcony of the church has been gutted. It seems to be a deliberate act as we could smell kerosene in the area,” said Father Stanley Kozhichira, media director of the Delhi archdiocese. Other leaders of the community termed the incident as the handiwork of “anti-social elements.”