FIREFIGHTERS today condemned arsonists after petrol was poured on the doors of a York church and then set it alight.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Acomb Road, was only saved from being engulfed in flames when an alarm was triggered in Bishop John Gore's nearby home earlier today.

Together with the help of two policemen, the Mormon bishop managed to put the blaze out, which had taken hold on two doors at the rear of the church, using a fire extinguisher.

A separate, smaller fire, was also started at two doors at the side of the building.

Sub-officer Dennis Newton, of Acomb fire station, said: "It was a really concerted effort to burn down the church which fortunately failed.

"It was completely idiotic and at 3.30am it was clearly not young children messing about - it was someone with a serious grudge who was very determined."

The £1 million church for York Mormons rose from the ashes a decade ago after a devastating fire left the then 200-strong congregation homeless.

The old church was gutted in a blaze, caused by an electric fault, in 1986.

But Bishop Gore today ruled-out the likelihood of a grudge attack on the church.

"My own opinion is that it was just somebody wanting to cause malicious damage. There is no reason to believe it is anything personal."

Fire investigation officers and police scenes of crime officers were at the church today in a hunt for clues.

The building houses a chapel, community hall, stage, classrooms, library and family history centre.

"We got there just in time to prevent a much bigger fire," said Bishop Gore. "It could have caused a lot of damage and obviously a lot of inconvenience."

Witnesses are asked to contact Acomb police station on 01904 631321.

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