Man arrested for setting church on fire

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for setting the floor of an Australian Church on fire.

According to Brisbane Times, the man used his vehicle to ram the front security gates, then tried to set fire to its floor about 8 a.m. in the morning. Through the help of witnesses, the suspect was found and arrested at Logan River Parkland a short time later.

The suspect was charged with attempted arson, wilful damage, and breaking and entering, and is now due to face the Beenleigh Magistrates court, Wednesday.

Beginning December last year, a series of church arsons have taken place in Australia, as reported by ABC News UK. A church in the Victorian City of Geelong was destroyed by fire, whilst firemen were called to another arson incident at a church two street blocks away.

The Baptist Church at the second scene was 90 percent damaged, Herald Sun reported. Meanwhile, St. Peter's in in Geelong was damaged about 50 percent, but still required extensive rebuilding. Fire crews from Lara, Geelong and Corio were quick to battle the simultaneous fires. The second fire almost reached residential areas before it was brought under control. A helicopter aided the crew to battle the blazes.

A few days later, a group of volunteers from the community showed their sympathy by helping the church made of timber to reopen. Reverend Dean Brown said that the fires could not have been a random event. However, he refused to comment on why the churches were put on fire as he thought he was not the right person to judge other people's minds.