Church blaze cause investigated

The church was well alight by the time fire crews arrived

The fire service has issued a warning on the need for people to secure empty premises after a blaze at a disused church in Saltney Ferry, Flintshire.

Crews from Deeside, Chester, Buckley, Wrexham, Flint and Mold attended the scene, known locally as St Matthews Church, on Saltney Ferry Road.

Around 20 properties had their power cut off but none had to be evacuated despite thick smoke from the blaze.

The fire on Thursday evening is thought to have been started deliberately.

The church, in a field near two housing estates, was well alight when crews arrived.

Police said Saltney Ferry Road was closed after the fire service was called just before 1830 GMT.

Six fire crews used three specialist appliances and water from a stream to tackle the blaze, which was declared out by 2230 BST.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service highlighted the importance of securing empty buildings and is appealing for witnesses to the blaze at the disused church.

Spokesman Russ Vaughan said: "It is vitally important that people take responsibility for their unoccupied properties, and ensure that they are safely and securely boarded up completely to prevent anyone from entering the building.

"While the Fire and Rescue Service are attending incidents like this, life saving resources are tied up, putting the lives of other people at risk. The perpetrators are destroying their own communities."