Fire consumes historic Porsgrunn church

Østsiden Kirke in Porsgrunn was destroyed by fire on the same night an attempt was made to set fire to a church in nearby Skien.

The 250-year-old Østre Porsgrunn Church (Østsiden Kirke) was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Monday morning. When the fire was discovered it was too late to save anything, NRK reports.

Later Monday it was believed that a fireproof safe behind the altar may have protected a baptismal bowl and the communion silver, both from the year 1760.

Pastor Per Johan Wiig, who has served the congregation during the past 12 years, says it is a sad day, as he thinks of all those who have walked in and out of this church over the past 250 years.

The Porsgrunn police have asked for assistance from the Police Special Branch in the investigation into the cause of the fire, particularly after it was discovered that attempts had been made during the night to set fire to a church in nearby Skien, NRK reports.

Source: The Norway Post