Tumakuru, DHNS: A masked man threw a petrol bomb at the main entrance of Tomlinson Church on the premises of Union Christian College near Sira Gate in the city at 4.10 am on Thursday.

No major damage was reported, but a portion of the wall beside the doors has turned black.

CCTV?footage showed the vandal not being able to open the main gate and the smaller gate which were locked. He then threw a lit bottle filled with petrol at the church and fled. Soon, there was a fire at the spot. Anoka, the sexton (who takes care of the church building), came out of his house, which is close by, when he heard a sound.

He collected water from a tap on the church premises and poured it over the fire. Three others residing on the premises helped him bring the blaze under control.

Reverend Elizabeth reached the spot after she was informed about the incident.
Passersby called the police. As news spread, several members of the community gathered at the church. Deputy Commissioner K?P?Mohan Raj, IGP (central range) Seemanth Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy and DySP Chidanandaswamy visited the spot and analysed the CCTV?footage.

Singh told reporters that five police teams have been formed to nab the suspect. Secretary of the church committee Jai Bhushan said they did not suspect anyone, but sought a speedy investigation.

The 86-year-old church is uniquely designed, bearing resemblance to a Hindu temple.