Jefferson County Scanner / Channel 3000
CV NEWS FEED // St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, Wisconsin, has canceled all Masses and events this week following a fire that happened overnight.
According to Channel3000, the fire, which began around 9 p.m. June 24 and was under control by 1 a.m. June 25, brought 24 fire departments from Jefferson and surrounding areas to the scene. Authorities believe the blaze was caused by a lightning strike.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat stress but has since been released. There have been no other injuries reported.
According to St. John’s pastor, Monsignor Don Heiar, the firefighters “did a wonderful job diverting the water back out of the church as it came down through the tower.” However, approximately one-third of the church is experiencing water damage.
Msgr. Heiar said responders will need to make sure the church is structurally sound and then begin the drying and reclamation processes. The historic steeple sustained the worst damage, but the church will work to repair it.
Msgr. Heiar emphasized that the steeple will remain standing, saying, “People in 1866, they put that tower up and it’s going to stay up there. We just have to get it fixed, repaired and solider on.”
