In the early hours of Boxing Day, crews from The Ridge and Bohemia Road Community Fire Stations in Hastings were alerted to the smell of smoke in the Hollington area of Hastings. Upon arrival the crews discovered smoke bellowing from the roof of Hollington Methodist Church on Battle Road.

David Washington, Blue Watch Manager, The Ridge, said, "Fire crews were faced with a serious fire on the first floor of the church. Six pumps and one aerial ladder platform attended the fire which was extinguished with the use of 1:7 foam as well as main water jets."

The church suffered serious damage with part of the floor burnt through.