An 80-year-old church hall was destroyed by fire.

The blaze gutted the building attached to St Helier Congregational Church‎ in Green Lane, St Helier, on Sunday evening.

Neighbours and members of the congregation watched on in horror as 10m flames ripped through the building just after 8.30pm, causing the roof to collapse.

Residents were told to move back into their homes because of asbestos in the roof.

Pieces of the roof were cleared up by construction workers in protective clothing wearing facemasks.

But they said the levels released during the fire were not believed to be dangerous.

Gemma Tombs, who witnessed the blaze, said: "It sounded like the church hall was packed with fireworks.

"Horrendous noise. Sounded like someone with a machine gun."

Rene Rickman, 82, who lives next door to the building, described her despair as she watched the building burn to the ground, where she had been to Sunday school more than 70 years ago.

She said: "It really is sad, because I have some very happy memories there, but I have heard it will be rebuilt."

Neighbours described how members of the church had been having a social event in the garden next to the church hall prior to the fire taking hold.

They described how the church had had fires in its garden in the past.

London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was still under investigation, but was not thought to be suspicious.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said it took four fire engines to tackle the blaze, which was under control by 11pm.

There were no injuries reported and it is believed the church hall was vacant at the time.

The flames were visible from the Rose Hill roundabout.

The church was unavailable for comment.