A FOUR-century-old church was gutted by fire early dawn Wednesday in Camarines Norte, police reports said.

Reports at the PNP operations center in Camp Crame said that destroyed by the fire was the St. Peter the Apostle Church located at Brgy. Dos, Vinzons town in Camarines Norte.

The reports said that fire, which reached third alarm, started at around 1:30 a.m. and has completely destroyed the church, which was built by Franciscan friars in 1611.

Also destroyed by the fire were several antique equipment, religious icons and sculptures. Damage cost was placed between P8 to P10 million, the reports said.

The destroyed church is regarded as among the oldest church in country and was built by Franciscans in 1611 after establishing a Tacboan town in 1581.