A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a “wilful fire-raising” at St Simon’s Catholic Church in Partick
Written by Sunny Unachi on 23rd August 2021
St Simon’s Catholic Church, in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, suffered extensive damage, with the roof, interior and upper walls completely destroyed.
Emergency services were called to the fire around 2.50am on Wednesday 28th July and dozens of people were evacuated from homes nearby but no one was hurt.
Detective Inspector Kenny McDonald, Drumchapel CID, said in a statement:
“We know this fire has been devastating and has caused much distress to the local and wider community. Along with our partners we will continue to support our communities.
“I would like to reassure the public that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and officers will continue to patrol the area.”
It was the church where Simon Pegg got married and the ‘spiritual home’ to Glasgow’s Polish community.
SNP MP and Catholic Carol Monaghan wrote on Twitter: “This was the news parishioners didn’t want to hear. We had hoped the fire was accidental. To hear that someone deliberately targeted our wee church is really upsetting.”
