Christchurch Woman Arrested and Charged with Arson After Church Fire

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

A 35-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with arson following a fire that broke out at the Life Church QE2 in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze on Atlantis Street around 2:30pm today.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand initially responded with three trucks, but quickly called in two additional units as the fire spread. Firefighters from Anzac, Christchurch City, and Woolston worked tirelessly to contain the flames, which had engulfed a room inside the single-storey church building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The fire was brought under control by 3:00pm, and crews remained on-site to ensure the building was safe. The woman, who has yet to be named, will appear in Christchurch District Court tomorrow to face arson charges.