An investigation into a devastating church fire has been hampered by fears the building's structure is unsafe.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that the cause of the fire which ripped through St Mark’s Church in Hamilton Terrace on Thursday evening (January 26) cannot be determined as a result.

A LFB spokesperson said: “Due to the unsafe structure of the building, the cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined.”

The St John’s Wood community has been shaken by the fire, which took firefighters more than three hours to extinguish.

Ham & High: Firefighters battled the blaze for more than three hours Firefighters battled the blaze for more than three hours (Image: PA Media)

The church building has suffered extensive damage – much of St Mark’s roof has caved in and many of its stained glass windows were shattered in the blaze.

There are also fears over the church's collection of 19th to 20th century mosaics.

The church steeple still stands, although it has been blackened by the flames.

Ham & High: The building has been severely damaged in the blaze The building has been severely damaged in the blaze (Image: Alex Marsh)

Yesterday morning (January 29), parishioners and supporters gathered for a special Candlemas service in the church garden where St Mark’s vicar expressed hope that the building could be rebuilt.

Vicar the Reverend Kate Harrison said: “This morning…is a time for tears, and anger, sorrow and confusion.

“But it’s also a time for rejoicing that we still have each other and that we can, and we will, restore this church.”

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