This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-38954965

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Salford church roof destroyed by huge blaze Blaze that gutted church in Lower Broughton 'suspicious'
(about 3 hours later)
Flames engulfed and destroyed the roof of a Grade II-listed church in Salford. A huge fire that destroyed a Grade II-listed church may have been started deliberately.
The fire started at the Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton at about 23:00 GMT on Sunday. It has now been brought under control. The fire at the Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton began at about 23:00 GMT on Sunday.
The roof collapsed meaning fire crews were unable to enter the building, which was founded in 1869. Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was now treating the blaze as suspicious.
Firefighters later confirmed the top part of the two gable ends will be dismantled tomorrow to make the building safe. Firefighters confirmed the top part of the two gable ends of the building, founded in 1869, will be dismantled on Tuesday to make it safe.
Nearby residents were urged to keep their windows and doors shut while the blaze continued. Nearby residents were urged to keep their windows and doors shut while the blaze, which has since been brought under control, was at its height.
Fire investigators believe the blaze caused gas pipes inside the church to melt, before a gas leak ignited, causing further damage.Fire investigators believe the blaze caused gas pipes inside the church to melt, before a gas leak ignited, causing further damage.
Father Norman Price, who carried out his first mass at the church in 1990, was at the scene helping by serving refreshments to firefighters, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue tweeted. Fire station manager Dave Baxter said: "We've got a gas leak that has ignited inside the church. National Grid are here trying to isolate the gas externally from the property, It's a big old solid structure.
Station manager Dave Baxter said: "We've got a gas leak that has ignited inside the church. National Grid are here trying to isolate the gas externally from the property, It's a big old solid structure.
"We're putting water up from the outside in and we've got a hydraulic platform so we can assess the scene inside.""We're putting water up from the outside in and we've got a hydraulic platform so we can assess the scene inside."
Liam Cole, 17, saw the flames from his home nearby.
"Initially it wasn't that bad but all of a sudden it was engulfed in flames and the roof started falling through," he said.
"There was a lot of ash and smoke from the roof going on the people standing very close."