Three Children Found Responsible For Evangelical Church Fire, N Romania

The three children are of Roma origin and were collecting scrap iron, police said Friday.

Chief inspector Sidor Bodescu said the three are aged 12 to 15, and their parents will be held responsible for the damages, as the children are underage and cannot be arrested.

The fire destroyed the steeple of the Evangelical Church in Bistrita, a fourteenth century historical monument.

Damages have been assessed at more than EUR1 million. Even if funding were available, restoration works would take at least until next year.

The parish and several non-government organizations opened an account to accept donations for the monument to be restored.