Bangalore church fire not caused by short–circuit: Report

If police and politicians believed the fire at St Anthony's Church in southern Karnataka was caused by an electric circuit, they might be wrong.

An inquiry by the Chief Electricity Inspectorate to Government (CEIG) confirmed to media that there was no electrical short–circuit in the church; suggesting it might be a clear case of arson.

CEIG even produced video footage and photographs that showed the lights and fans worked in good condition, even after it was destroyed or termed as 'short–circuit'.

The church in Yadavanahalli was last week reportedly set on fire by miscreants causing a damage of over Rs 10 lakh.

While police authorities attributed the fire to an accident, church people refused the claim and said, “It was a deliberate act” to intensify the communal violence.

Father C Francis, the parish spokesperson said sacred hymnbooks and other valuable articles had been targeted in this alleged attack.

Following the incident, the state government ordered a probe and said, “It would not tolerate violence of any kind.”