Historic Atherton Tablelands church destroyed by fire

Police have launched an investigation into a suspicious Atherton Tablelands fire that destroyed a historic church. Anyone with dashcam vision is urged to contact authorities.

Police have declared a crime scene but have so far laid no charges in relation to the destruction on a historic church on the Atherton Tablelands.

The church in Herberton was completely destroyed by fire.

At 9.52am fire crews were called to the Herberton Uniting Church on Lillian St.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokeswoman said the wooden building was completely engulfed by flames by the time crews arrived.

“There was large amount of smoke and the church was fully involved when we arrived on scene,” she said.

The historic Herberton Uniting Church. Picture: Facebook

Police would like to speak to any witnesses, anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage recorded in the area.

Anthony Dillon drove past the blaze this morning and reported the church had been fully destroyed.

He said it was disappointing such an old building had burnt down.

“I’m pretty sure it would be 100 or 150 years old, it was one of the first churches on the Atherton Tablelands,” he said.

The Herberton Uniting Church on Lillian St has been destroyed by fire. Picture: Nelson Finch

The Herberton Uniting Church was constructed in 1891 as the Herberton Presbyterian Church.

In 1977 following the creation of the Uniting Church in Australia, the Herberton church became known as the Herberton Uniting Church.

In 2018 new $2.7m fire station was opened in Herberton by then Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford.

An image showing the Herberton church engulfed by flames. Picture: Anthony Dillon

The new facility has two engine bays, a training room and multipurpose area extra space for appliances and storage for equipment and supplies, according to the state government.

There have been no reports of patients at the scene.

The new Herberton Fire and Rescue Station was opened in 2018.

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Originally published as Historic Atherton Tablelands church destroyed by fire