ARSONISTS have targeted a church which is being rebuilt after a massive blaze.
Firefighters were called to the Independent Methodist Chapel, in Bridgefield Street, Radcliffe, when a fire broke out shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday. Residents living nearby saw a group of youths running away from the construction site and called the emergency services.
The blaze had burnt out when firefighters arrived and caused minimal damage to the building.
But a police spokesman said: “Someone had deliberately tried to set fire to the building after forcing entry into the site.”
Officers are investigating.
The church’s previous building, which was 125 years old, had to be demolished after a huge fire in March 2008.
Arson was suspected as youths were seen.
Construction work for the new church started in May, 2010, and is expected to be completed next month.
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