The priest of a historic Leicester church which has been significantly damaged in a fire has said the community is finding its own “Blitz Spirit”.
St Andrew’s Jarrom Street resumed services on Saturday, relocated to the parish hall or outside, following the blaze on Tuesday night. More than 40 firefighters brought the flames under control in the 160 year-old building.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) believe it was caused accidentally, beginning on the ground floor before spreading to the roof, with the building secure and no signs of forced entry. No injuries have been reported.
A statement from the church thanked the firefighters’ “bravery” in their swift response and rescuing the coffin of churchwarden Tony Simons, whose funeral was relocated having been due to take place the next day. He had been a member of the worshipping community for 72 years.
“As the late Tony Simons often said, ‘Keep the faith. Save the parish.’ We are greatly blessed that our church building has been home to a large, growing and diverse congregation, training eight organ scholars, hosting other Christian communities, and supporting the whole parish with spaces for music, art, lectures, and community events”, the statement added.
A fire recovery fund has been set up, as the church assesses the “significant damage” to the church building and roof.
Rev Canon Dr Johannes Arens said: The whole community is in shock, but we are discovering our own ‘Blitz Spirit’. We will rebuild our beautiful church. I don’t yet know what funds we will need, but I am incredibly thankful to all those who are already coming forward to offer their help, prayers and donations.
Built in the 1860s, St Andrew’s is located between De Montfort University and the Leicester Royal Infirmary. A parish newsletter described the Anglo-Catholic church, part of the Church of England, as “much more than a building”.
Plumes of smoke were seen across Leicester, as firefighters received calls from 11:17pm on Tuesday.
The Diocese of Leicester said it was “deeply saddened” by the fire and that its “immediate concern is for the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected.”
Referencing social media speculation and “misinformation” about the fire, LFRS asked “that people please be respectful in their discourse, and considerate of the communities and individuals connected to St Andrew's Church, during what is clearly a tragic and upsetting time for them.”