Man arrested over fire near Our Lady of Victories’ Glenelg Catholic church

A man has been arrested over a fire that destroyed a much-loved building used by a Glenelg church and school.

Police have arrested a 59-year-old man for arson, after a blaze next to a Catholic Church in Glenelg caused extensive damage to an old parish building known as Murphy House.

The building on High Street is connected to Our Lady of Victories’ Glenelg Catholic church and St Mary’s Memorial School.

An emergency call-out was made from 11 High Street at around 4.30am on Wednesday morning after the building was set on fire.

The 59-year-old man was caught by Western District CIB and is believed to be homeless.

He did not apply for bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 8.

Murphy House was extensively damaged. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The smell of smoke could still be smelt on Wednesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The neighbouring Our Lady of Victories’ Glenelg Catholic church escaped damage. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Police and fire crews were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the next door church on 17 High Street.

The Catholic church is also connected to St Mary’s Memorial School on Milton St.

Principal Sonja Smith said she was thankful the church and school was not damaged.

“While there is still the smell of smoke, I want to assure families that is it safe to come to school today,” she said.

“We will be redirecting traffic away from the High St gate but otherwise school is open as normal.”

Fire Cause Investigators are examining the scene.

Police said extensive damage has been caused to the building.

The building dates back to 1904 and originally served as a residence and as offices.

Most recently it was used by the Glenelg parish sewing group and for storage and sorting of donated items by the local St Vincent de Paul Society group.

The extent of the damage is not yet known.