Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
A woman accused of setting a church in Christchurch on fire will remain behind bars until at least the end of the month.
The 35-year-old, who has interim name suppression, appeared in the Christchurch District Court via audio-visual link on Monday.
Police charged the woman with arson after the fire at the QE2 Life Church in New Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
Five fire trucks were called to the Atlantis Street church about 2.30pm after a fire alarm went off, and were able to quickly put the blaze out.
The woman was remanded in custody to appear later this month.
Life Church executive Tim Bennetts said the church sustained a moderate level of damage and he anticipated repairs would take several weeks.
"We will be working through the process with our insurance company this week. We are thankful for the actions of our neighbour's and local community who were very quick to get in touch with emergency services and assisted us with the initial clean up," he said.
Bennetts said the quick response of police and fire crews prevented the church from being significantly damaged.
"Our members are looking forward to beginning work towards getting our building up and running again as soon as possible so we can get back to serving our congregation and local community the best we can," he said.
"At Life Church we are in the business of life change, restoration and redemption - and we hope that the offender receives the support and help she needs to find all of the above through the judicial process."
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