Emergency crews tackled a significant fire at St Andrew’s Church in Jarrom Street, Leicester, overnight after multiple calls to the fire service. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from nine fire engines and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene following an initial call at 11:17pm on Tuesday.
Rescue of a coffin and no casualties
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus located and moved a coffin containing a body that had been placed in the church overnight for a funeral due to take place the following morning. The fire service confirmed that all persons have been accounted for and there were no casualties as a result of the incident.
"We're just distressed... the sadness, the grief, the shock, that's really come about because of this incident was very clear," said the Archdeacon of Leicester.
The Archdeacon expressed how upset members of the parish and wider community have been by the loss of a loved and historic building and by the disruption to current church activity.
Damage, cause and ongoing response
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the church’s roof has been severely damaged. A subsequent fire investigation found the most probable cause of the blaze to be accidental. Inspectors say the fire started on the ground floor before spreading upwards; there was no sign of forced entry and the building was secure at the time.
Police worked alongside the fire service and utility companies to isolate gas and electricity supplies in the area. As a precaution several nearby roads were closed while crews dealt with the incident.
Local context
St Andrew’s is an Anglo-Catholic parish church in the city centre, built more than 160 years ago. The congregation and local community have been directly affected by the damage to a historic place of worship and by the disruption to planned funerary arrangements.
- Time of initial call: 11:17pm, Tuesday
- Firefighting resources: nine fire engines; about 60 firefighters
- Building age: more than 160 years
- Casualties: none reported; coffin with body rescued
- Cause: most probable cause assessed as accidental
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | St Andrew's Church, Jarrom Street, Leicester |
| Initial call | 11:17pm (Tuesday) |
| Firefighting attendance | 9 engines; ~60 personnel |
Residents and parishioners seeking information about funerals or the condition of the building should contact the church or the Diocese for guidance. The fire service continues to liaise with police and utility providers as part of recovery and safety work in the area.
Local people have described the loss of the church’s fabric as deeply upsetting, not only for the congregation but for the wider city given the building’s historic status.
