Kasauli church pastor suspects arson

The fire completely destroyed the antique furniture in the church, a model of the church installed on the main gate of the building and ceiling of the hall. The church is considered a unique example of colonial architecture of the British era.

The building of the Baptist church was constructed in 1923. The town had three churches, of which one was destroyed in a fire in 1857.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Ashok Masih said he suspected that some miscreants had thrown kerosene through windows of the main hall and set the church on fire. He said he had also informed the police about his suspicions. He claimed that initially it was

assumed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, but officials of the electricity board, who had visited the church, had ruled that out.

After the fire was extinguished, the window panes of the church’s hall were found broken and an odour of kerosene was detected.

Masih said despite the huge loss to the property and building, except the Kasauli Naib – Tehsildar, none of the senior officials had bothered to visit the damaged church building. Even Kasauli MLA Dr Rajeev Sehjal, who was in town on Wednesday, did not visit the church.

Meanwhile, Additional Superintendent of Police S.R. Rana said though the police have not received any formal complaint from the pastor, he had directed the Kasauli police to conduct a thorough investigation in the case.

Rana said he had also directed the investigating officers to lift samples from the spot which could help in ascertaining the actual cause of the fire. He said if arson was established during the investigation, strict action would be initiated as per the law.