CV NEWS FEED // St. William Catholic Church in Avondale, Arizona, burned down overnight in a fire that started around 1 a.m. on May 2.
No one was injured in the fire. The flames reportedly originated from the church’s attic and were spreading throughout the church. The firefighters who initially responded to the scene entered the church to put out the fire, but the fire quickly escalated, forcing the responders back outside.
“About 50 firefighters from multiple cities responded and the fire was upgraded to a second-alarm response,” ABC 15 reported. “Despite efforts, the church was completely destroyed in the fire.”
A spokesman for the Diocese of Phoenix, Brett Meister, told local news outlet the Arizona Republic, “The church, the classrooms and the parish hall are virtually irreparable.” He added that no foul play is suspected.
A police investigation of the fire’s cause remains ongoing.
Approximately 1,000 families are parishioners of St. William Catholic Church.
“This is a devastating loss to this community,” Avondale Fire Battalion Chief Steve Mayhew said, according to FOX 10. “This church is a pillar of this community, so definitely a lot of heartbreak this morning.”
St. William Catholic Church’s website updated its front page with a statement highlighting that no one was injured in the fire and that the church is working to find an alternative location to celebrate Mass.
“After following the events of yesterday we give thanks to God that no one was harmed, we would like to give thanks to the first responders, the city officials, the community, and parishioners of St. William that have stepped in to help us in this terrible tragedy,” the statement concluded. “With the grace of God, we will move forward stronger than ever. Thank You.”
