Police treat Glenreagh church fire as suspicious
NSW Police and RFS are looking in to the cause of the fire that destroyed the historic St Paul's Catholic Church in the early hours of Sunday morning
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
POLICE and Rural Fire Service investigators are looking into two fires within 24 hours in Glenreagh, with a blaze that destroyed the St Paul's Catholic Church currently being treated as suspicious.
Around 5am, fire services including local RFS and Fire Rescue NSW were called to the blaze, but found the church fully alight, and were unable to save the building.
The church blaze was the second structural fire in 24 hours in the region, after a shed containing a number of vehicles was engulfed in flames, causing significant damage.
Coffs/Clarence Police District detectives established a crime scene, which is being examined by forensic specialists.
Detectives continue with inquiries into the incident, however at this stage the blaze is being treated as suspicious.
Clarence Valley Rural Fire Service district manager Superintendent Stuart Watts said both RFS and NSW Police were investigating the cause of the two fires.
"The church was totally destroyed by the fire, and significant damage was done to the shed and vehicles that were inside, so we will be investigating to get to the bottom of the matter," he said.
After a busy morning, Supt Watts praised the efforts of the fire crews involved in containing the two fires.
"A considerable number of resources from both RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW were used to contain the fire, and they did a fantastic job in the circumstances."
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact police.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
Originally published as Police treat Glenreagh church fire as suspicious
Sarina shooting: Alleged accomplice, kidnapper swaps lawyers
A young woman accused of being involved in a horror incident where a man was shot in the stomach and then forced into his own vehicle has change lawyers.
‘A true workhorse’: Meet Mackay Cutters’ under-17 superstars
With QRL junior action set to get underway in a matter of weeks, take a look at the key players set to light up the Harvey Norman, Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cups in 2025.
Driver trapped on roof as floodwaters rise
A driver is trapped on the roof of his ute in fast moving floodwaters as rescue crews rush to the isolated rural roadway in Central Queensland. WEATHER LATEST
‘We couldn’t knock back the opportunity’: How Souths landed their fourth NRL recruit
Souths Sharks coach Mark Bowden reveals how his club landed their fourth ex-NRL recruit for the 2025 season
Flood ravaged roads leave supermarket shelves empty
Residents are turning to local butchers to put food on tables as flooded roads restrict supply to major supermarkets.
These are the Qld towns you don’t want to give birth in
Confronting staffing figures show eight Queensland maternity facilities have experienced a desperate shortage of obstetricians, anaesthetists and midwives.