A TEENAGER from Basingstoke has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire gutted a Fleet church.

Retained firefighters from Hartley Wintney were among those called to All Saints Church in Church Road, Fleet, at around 5.30pm on Monday evening.

They battled for more than three hours to get the fire under control but the flames destroyed the roof of the 19th century church.

There were no reports of any injuries and police officers are investigating to see whether the fire is linked to any similar reports.

A 16-year-old teenager from Basingstoke was arrested on suspicion of arson yesterday and is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

The arrest comes after a 17-year-old boy from Fleet was arrested and bailed until August 27.

Sergeant Rob Wallis from Fleet Neighbour Policing Team said: “The fire has completely destroyed the church and has understandably caused concern within the local community.

“Our officers are in the area providing reassurance to local churches and the community.”

North East Hampshire MP Ranil Jayawardena added: “I was shocked by the fire at All Saints Church. It was a beautiful church that had stood proud in Fleet for almost two hundred years; for a fire to destroy so much of it is a tragedy for our community.

“We are lucky, however, that no one was hurt and that the brick work still remains. This is thanks to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service who did an incredible job tackling the blaze and I know everyone is grateful for what they did.

"I’m sure everyone is also thankful to Hampshire Police for working hard to catch the person responsible and bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Marc Oliver from the Northern Investigation Team on 101, quoting reference 44150212094, and information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.