PRECARIOUSLY hanging bells are making it too dangerous for fire investigators to complete their probe into what caused a fire that gutted an 800 year-old church.

As previously reported, heartbroken villagers looked on as St Peter's Church in Ropley, near Alresford, burned down in June, and are eager to learn what destroyed the building that dates back to the medieval days.

But fire bosses have revealed that parts of the ruined building in Ropley is still too unsafe for investigators to complete their work three months after the blaze.

The main issue is that six bells, weighing two and a half tonnes, could fall because the timber frame holding them is so burned.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Chief fire officer John Bonney (pictured above), giving an update at a fire authority meeting, said: “It is my parish church. It was a real shock as a resident to see such damage to a beautiful old church.

“I have spoken to fire investigator. The building was very severely damaged.

“The only area that has not been explored is actually the area they most want to look into, which is the bell tower.

“They had to undertake some structural repairs which have precluded anyone going into it.

“That is expected to take a couple of weeks and then the initial findings of the cause will be determined.

“At this stage it is not regarded as a deliberate fire which is merciful but there may be a number of possible causes and they have yet to be finalised yet.”

Ariel photographs above St Peter's Church show its roof was completely destroyed, as was centuries old medieval architecture, much of the bell tower, records dating back to the 1960s, the pulpit, and a 16th century font.

Repairs are estimated to be £3.5 million, with insurance paying the bulk and an ongoing fundraising donations paying the rest.

Andy Bonner, of Friends of St Peter's, has been coordinating the rebuild, says the structural work is being carried out to make it safe enough to conclude the forensic investigation as well as beginning its repair.

This involves removing the bells in a delicate operation.

He added: “They have proved more of a challenge than we thought. There's many tonnes been held up by fairly burnt timbers. No-one is allowed up until it has proved safe.”