Community reacts with shock and sadness after fire hits St John the Baptist Church in Harleston

The community in Harleston has reacted with shock and sadness after a fire at a historic church in the town centre.

Crews from across Norfolk and Suffolk were called at 3.40pm last Wednesday to St John the Baptist Church in Broad Street.

Following a fire investigation, the service said the blaze originated in the kitchen and started accidentally.

Firefighters were able to save a lot of structure with the roof also remaining intact, but the building has been left with significant internal damage.

Paul Mba, chair of Harleston Town Council, said: “I don’t live far away from the church so when I saw the smoke I had to take a look.

“There were a lot of upset people there and it came as a huge shock to see it like that.

“It’s the biggest building in the town and a real focal point.”

Lucy Chenery, vice chair, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear about the fire as it’s such an important hub within our community, supporting so many local groups and activities.

“Thankfully, the people of Harleston have always shown great strength and unity.”

“I’m confident that together we’ll continue to support one another and help restore this beautiful church.”

On social media, a Norfolk Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the church community as they start to recover from the fire with the support of the town.

“Our thanks to everyone in the local area for their patience while we dealt with the incident and carried out our investigation work.”

Since the blaze, St John’s Church has arranged to gather at St Thomas More's Chapel for its harvest worship and Waveney food bank, which runs out of the building, has temporarily relocated to London Road church.

The Rev Sue Auckland, associate priest at St John the Baptist Church, thanked the Harleston community for the kindness shown after the blaze.

Flames destroyed the windows and furniture on the side of the church where the kitchen was, along with the kitchen, part of the roof, worship books and chairs.

The chancel area, office and organ remain intact, but there is extensive smoke and water damage.

The church, which dates from the 1870s, is one of the seven places of worship that make up the collective benefice of Redenhall with Scole across the Waveney valley.

The Rev Auckland said: “Events like this are devastating for so many reasons.

"It’s heartbreaking to lose the place where God has been worshipped for so many years, the place where families have said goodbyes to their loved ones, brought children to be baptised and where couples have made their marriage vows.

“It gives us all a real sense of loss, but thankfully nobody was hurt.”

The Rev Auckland also expressed her gratitude to the fire service, their insurance provider and their architect, as well as the kindness and concerns of local people, churches and organisations.