Wilful Fireraising - Church Hall, Baillieston, Glasgow

Police are continuing enquiries after a church hall in Baillieston was deliberately set on fire in the early hours of  Tuesday 1 September 2009.

Around 1.20am on Tuesday a window was broken at the church hall (Hope Hall) at Baillieston Evangelical Church in Church Street, Baillieston and the premises were set on fire.

The fire caused substantial smoke damage to the hall and extensive repairs will have to be carried out.

Police are treating the incident as wilful fireraising.

Appeal for information

Detective Sergeant Roland Craig is continuing enquiries. He said:

“The hall is used by various groups in the community including senior citizens and children.

“In fact, senior citizens in the area were due to hold a lunch there on the day of the fire to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the building of the hall. This event had to be cancelled.

“There is also a nursery attached to the hall and due to the fire the children have been decanted to other premises.

“This despicable and irresponsible act will deprive local people of a very important local resource for some time and I would urge anyone who has any information regarding those responsible for starting the fire to come forward.”

Witnesses are asked to contact Shettleston CID on telephone number 0141 532 4800. Alternatively, information can be passed to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 – anonymity can be maintained.