A CHURCH was deliberately set on fire in a North Lanarkshire town near Glasgow this morning.
The Jackson Church of Scotland, on Glen Road, in Airdrie, was set ablaze in the early hours of Sunday, February 13.
Officers have launched an investigation and are treating the fire as wilful.
Meanwhile, the church building will remain close and services have been cancelled until further notice, the church's reverend, Kay Gilchrist, announced on Twitter.
The tweet read: "Morning All. It is with regret that we have to cancel the church service today and the church building will remain closed until further notice.
"The police are investigating fire and smoke damage caused to the front of the church. Rev Kay."
Morning All. It is with regret that we have to cancel the church service today and the church building will remain closed until further notice. The police are investigating fire and smoke damage caused to the front of the church. Rev Kay 🙏
— Jackson Church of Scotland (@JacksonChurch5) February 13, 2022
She later added that the damage to the vestibule would be "extensive" but could have been worse, thanking members of the community for promptly alerting emergency service.
She wrote: "I just want to say a massive thank you for all your kind words of encouragement and support for our church.
"Also whoever called the fire brigade - no words are sufficient to say how much appreciation and gratitude I have for you.
"The damage to the vestibule is extensive but could have been much worse without your 999 call. So prayerful thanks."
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Hi just want to say a massive thank you for all your kind words of encouragement and support for our church. Also whoever called the fire brigade - no words are sufficient to say how much appreciation and gratitude I have for you. Rev Kay 🙏
— Jackson Church of Scotland (@JacksonChurch5) February 13, 2022
The damage to the vestibule is extensive but could have been much worse without your 999 call. So prayerful thanks. Rev Kay 🙏
— Jackson Church of Scotland (@JacksonChurch5) February 13, 2022
The Scottish Fire and Rescue service confirmed with the Glasgow Times that two fire engines were in attendance after the alarm was raised at 3.09am.
The crews extinguished the fire and left.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of a fire at a church on Glen Road, Airdrie, around 4am on Sunday, 13 February, 2022.
"There were no reports of any injuries.
"The fire is currently being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.
"Officers are following a positive line of inquiry.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0719 of 13 February, 2022.”
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