PART of a derelict church in Gillingham collapsed as fire tore through the building last night (Sam Lennon writes).

About 30 firefighters battled agains the flames for up to six hours at St Peter's Methodist Church in Trafalgar Street.

As the entire building was engulfed by flames, fire crews opted not to enter the burning church but instead surround the fire to stop it spreading. At one stage an annexe at the back of the church collapsed.

Medway Fire Station sub officer Simon Yaxley said: "The fire had started with a pile of rubbish in the first floor but the heat got so intense it caused a flashover, causing the whole room to burst into flames. Shortly afterwards the flames reached the roof and spread throughout it.

"It was too dangerous for our firefighters to be inside the building so they tackled the flames from outside. We could not risk the lives of our crews for a derelict buildling."

An investigation into the fire was under way today and firefighters believe the blaze was started deliberately. The building was sold when four Gillingham churches were merged into what is now Gillingham Methodist Church in Third Avenue.

St Peter's was founded in 1821 by the Bible Christian Church, who led a small congregation in Park Road, which is now Marlborough Road. Expansion led to a need for larger premises and in 1887 the church moved to Trafalgar Street. The building was set to be converted into 21 flats.

Medway Council had received an application which also included building three blocks of flats on the site. The plans were due to be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.