Accused Oasis Church arsonist Jason Pronger case delay due to forensic lab

The case against an alleged church arsonist found naked with a bible over his penis, is experiencing delays for a disturbingly common reason.

Neighbours captured this photo of the blaze at Oasis Church at 4am.

The alleged arson case against a homeless church patron found naked, holding a Bible over his genitals, in a popular park, is experiencing delays due to backlogs at Queensland’s troubled forensic and scientific laboratory.

Jason James Pronger, 33, from Gympie, was charged with one count of arson following a fire that destroyed Rockhampton’s Oasis Church at the former North Leagues Club on Glenmore Road, Park Avenue on August 27.

Mr Pronger is yet to enter a plea.

His case was on Wednesday, October 12, adjourned by six weeks after Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard investigators were waiting on “multiple forensic statements”.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said they had been advised it would take six to eight weeks to get the scientific statements which formed part of the fire investigation.

When firefighters were called to the blaze about 2am, the timber building ablaze and it took fireys several hours to contain the inferno, using aerial spraying and machinery to pull down the structure.

Photos shared from Queensland Ambulance of the fire at Oasis Church on August 27.

Five fire trucks battled the blaze for hours, with the last crew leaving more than nine hours later.

About 8.30am, Mr Pronger was found by a stranger near Kershaw Gardens.

The stranger contacted police and clothed Mr Pronger so he would not be naked when they arrived.

Mr Pronger was then taken into custody and later charged with one count of arson.

Emergency services at the scene of a fire which destroyed the Oasis Church on Glenmore Road, Park Avenue, overnight. Crews were called at 2am on August 27, 2023.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Kevin Mawdsley said a trail of clothing was found around Bob’s Bulk Booze and Domino’s shops nearby.

During a bail application on August 29, police prosecutor Corey O’Connor told the court Mr Pronger was “found afterwards laughing about what had happened” and “asking about other churches in Rockhampton”.

Mr Pronger was denied bail and remains in custody.

His arson charge was adjourned to November 22.

Photos taken by Kent Murray of the fire destruction at Oasis Church on Sunday August 27.

The 57-year-old building on Glenmore Road was originally built for the North Rockhampton Rugby Leagues Club, which sold it in 2000.

About 2002, it was extensively renovated and transformed into Kershaw House and over the years hosted many weddings and events.

The Oasis Church purchased the building in 2014 for $1,045,000.

The slab of ground where Oasis Church once stood.

The church has temporarily moved their services to the Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas.

Rubble concrete is all that remains of the former Oasis Church building.

Originally published as Accused Oasis Church arsonist Jason Pronger case delay due to forensic lab