Arson suspected at Coventry

Seventy-five fire fighters battled to protect the cathedral

Police say the fire at Coventry Cathedral on Tuesday, which caused extensive damage to the building and art works, may have been started deliberately.

A clean-up operation is under way and insurance experts have been assessing the damage to the Cathedral's priceless artefacts, including Graham Sutherland's acclaimed Christ in Glory tapestry.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "The fire investigation team have notified officers at Little Park Street police station (in Coventry) that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

Cleaner Linda King raised the alarm

"It is being treated as arson."

Dozens of fire fighters were called to tackle the blaze which was discovered at around 0800 GMT by a cleaner, Linda King.

Ms King was praised for spotting smoke and raising the alarm by dialling 999 on her mobile phone which led to the evacuation of 25 young choristers and staff.

The fire started in a basement area used for storing hymn books and chairs, according to a cathedral spokesman.

The fire was brought under control before it could spread, but large quantities of smoke had already damaged the cathedral's treasures.

Sutherland's priceless tapestry, which measures 74ft by 38 ft and is among the world's largest, could be among the damaged art works.

The original cathedral was gutted by fire after German bombing

Canon Andrew White, director of international ministry at Coventry Cathedral said on Tuesday that it would take up to a fortnight for the full extent of the damage to become known.

"We're too afraid to even touch the main organ," he said.

"There's also concern about the windows and many other things within the cathedral itself."

"We have been told it's likely to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds but it could have been a lot worse."

The city's old cathedral was gutted by fire during bombing raids on the city during World War II.

This new cathedral, designed by Basil Spense, was built beside the ruins, and was opened in 1962.

It is considered one of the finest examples of modern religious architecture.