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Island Baptist church destroyed in overnight fire

News imageBBC Firefighter in full protective gear and a bright yellow helmet spraying water onto the roof of a white building with severe fire damage. The roof is partially collapsed and charred, with smoke rising from the burnt section. A hose lies on the grass in front of the building, and the scene is set against an open field with a pale sunset skyBBC
Tiree Baptist Church caught fire in the early hours of Boxing Day

A Scottish island community has been devastated after its Baptist Church was destroyed in an overnight blaze.

The church building at Baugh, on the southern coast of Tiree, caught fire at around 03:00 on Boxing Day.

An emergency crew from Tiree community fire station attended along with local police. There were no reported injuries.

Tiree Baptist Church minister, Ruth Kelso, said the community was "sad and shocked to wake up to the news".

In a statement, she added: "Our lovely wee Baugh Church building had burnt down in the night.

"The building may be gone, but our church is still very much alive and we trust God for our future."

Tiree, in the Inner Hebrides off Scotland's west coast, is home about 700 people.

Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.