BY IAN CROUCH
Squatters are being blamed for a fire which damaged a disused church in Newcastle East.
Fire crews from Newcastle and Lambton were called to the former St Mark's Chapel in Morgan Street at about 4.15pm on Monday.
Newcastle Fire Command says rubbish had been set alight inside, causing damage to the altar.
The fire was quickly contained before it could spread to the rest of the building, with crews completing fire firefighting duties at 5.30pm.
