Police officers in hospital after fighting church fire

Two police officers were taken to hospital in Northern Ireland today after fighting a fire started by sectarian arsonists in a Catholic church.

The officers broke into St John’s Chapel on the Castlederg Road in Magherafelt, Co Derry, and managed to put out the fire before the Fire Service arrived.

They had been alerted by a passing motorist who saw smoke rising from the building at about 5.30am.

Despite the efforts of the police officers, significant damage was caused to the church, said a police spokeswoman.

She said police were treating the attack as arson and sectarian.

It is believed a rear window of the church was smashed and bottles of flammable liquid thrown inside.

The two officers were treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.