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A FORENSIC scientist was yesterday combing through the remains of St Barnabas’ Church to recover any artefacts that survived Sunday’s blaze.
Tony Cafe from T.C. Forensic, working on behalf of GIO insurance, said it was important to remove any holy relics from the church to stop unauthorised people entering the building.
But he said there was not a lot that could be salvaged from the fire.
“I was able to go into the building and get crucifixes and candle holders, but that was all that could be recovered,” Mr Cafe said.
“The items are of immense value to the church even though they were not in very good condition.
“[But] the building is in a very dangerous condition and I just wanted to get them so parishioners don’t go in looking. There’s nothing left in there.”
A safety perimeter has been established around the church and builders were also on-site yesterday to assess the damage.
Police are continuing to treat the fire as suspicious and are urging anyone with information – or footage of the fire – to come forward.
Mr Cafe said it appeared the fire had started up at the altar end of the church.
“Where the roof collapsed is where most of the damage was done,” he said.
“The black surrounding the windows shows how big the flames were and how big the fire was.”
Mr Cafe said it would be up to the building assessors to determine what could be saved from the church.
It was routine for insurance companies to send a forensic scientist to examine a site after the crime scene was closed, he said.
He added that the more details they had, the better the insurers would be able to do their job.
“They help people, that’s what they do,” he said.
Steve Barry from Evolution Building was also at the church yesterday to secure and examine the site.
“We will be removing the roof and so will have to organise that,” he said.
“There will be surveyors and architects coming in to make their plans and determine what can be done.”