A building owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, used each week by university students, was damaged by fire in the early hours of Monday 11 March.
Students enrolled at nearby University of Canterbury in Riccarton, and other young people, have been taking religion classes in the Institute of Religion building since the 1990’s.
Thankfully no-one was injured during the blaze including fire-fighters who worked to extinguish the fire after they were called to the scene at 2.15am, according to a report in Stuff.co.nz.
Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the fire.
Students will attend religion classes in another yet-to-be-determined location until the building is repaired and once again fit for use.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have lived in the Canterbury region since the 1860’s.