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Property destroyed included furniture, stationery and computers.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade senior divisional officer, Mr Linos Phiri, said the fire had caused extensive damage by the time his team arrived.
“We received an alert at 4.58am and we suspect the fire had started long back as the roof had already collapsed. We did our best and managed to save the church school and hall,” said Mr Phiri.
He said the Fire Brigade would conduct further investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire.
“We have confirmed with the police and we suspect arson as the church safe that is said to have had about $7 000 was tampered with. We suspect that someone might have stolen the money and started the fire to destroy evidence. However, we are still carrying out investigations,” said Mr Phiri.
The church’s pastor, Kenneth Churimuta, said they were yet to ascertain what really happned.
“We do not know what really caused the fire but the church’s computers, office furniture and stationery were all reduced to ashes,” said Pastor Churimuta.
When asked about the money which was said to have been in the safe, Pastor Churimuta declined to comment on the issue.
“I cannot comment about the money at the moment,” he said.
Mr Chris Moyo, who owns the nearby Round Star Takeaways said the fire started early in the morning.
“I received an alert at 4.30am, although the Fire Brigade responded early the fire was strong and there was not enough water to put out the fire.
“I suspect an electrical fault might have caused the fire since it is an old building,” said Mr Moyo.
Online Reporter