CHILDREN'S bibles, office equipment and furniture have been destroyed by an arsonist who started two fires inside a Haslemere church last Sunday morning. The police have launched a investigation into the fires which were started deliberately at the Three Counties Church and caused around £30,000 worth of damage. It also forced worshippers to travel to Hammer for their morning church service. Police officers have said that, if it were not for the prompt action of neighbours, the church in Kings Road could have burnt to the ground. The fire was discovered at 5-40 am on Sunday morning by two members of the public who were on their way to work. They saw flames coming from the church on the Lower Street side and called the fire brigade. Police officers sealed off Lower Street while fire fighters from Surrey and Hampshire tackled the blaze and searched the church. The arsonist started one fire in the lower hall which had been set up for that morning's activities for the children. The youngsters' bibles were totally destroyed along with pens, pencils, chairs, notebooks, a trolley and other furniture. The room was also severely smoke damaged and the electrical system and windows have also been damaged. The second fire was started in the office of the church administrator Charles Scott which destroyed a desk, photocopier, computer tower and other office equipment. The door to the neighbouring main church hall was closed meaning that it escaped any damage inside, although five of its windows were smashed. The windows of the entrance doors at Lower Street were also vandalised. "Extensive fire and smoke damage has been caused throughout the church which is said to be in the region of £25,000 to £30,000," said the investigating officer DC Barry Jutsum. "However, had it not been for the prompt action of the two members of the public contacting the fire service the building would have been burned to the ground." Church administrator Charles Scott told The Herald that he arrived at the scene of the fire around 7-20 am and remained at the church for most of the day to help the police with the investigation. Meanwhile the decision was taken to send the congregation to the nearby church in Hammer for that morning's church service and the message was quickly spread. "Fortunately only two people actually turned up to (this) church and everyone else got the message," Mr Scott said. This week the clear-up operation has been under way as the church looks at getting back to normal as soon as possible. Mr Scott praised the efforts of the emergency services as well as the efforts of Haslemere firm Clement Windows which promptly carried out repairs to make the church secure. Mr Scott also thanks the residents in Kings Road who reported the fire and averted a disastrous fire. Meanwhile the police are continuing with their investigation and are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward. Dc Jutsum said that officers were particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the hours before the fire. Already a witness has come forward after being awoken by noise in the early hours of the morning. They had looked out of their window and noticed a group of five or six youngsters arguing with a man who was described as a 'street person'. The man had a three-legged dog with him. The witness told police the youths walked off out of sight towards the railway station, while the man then pushed the church door open and the dog entered the premises first followed by the man. "We are appealing for witnesses in the Kings Road area who may have noticed suspicious activity or heard damage being caused such as breaking glass," Dc Jetsum added. "If you do have any information, please come forward." Anyone who has seen anything or has information is asked to contact Dc Barry Jutsum on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.
