Ahead of Easter weekend, lightning likely sparks historic St. Paul church steeple fire, SPFD says
Investigators suspect a lightning strike may have set a St. Paul church steeple ablaze Thursday evening, on the eve of Good Friday, which kicks off what is traditionally the busiest, most important weekend of the Christian calendar.
The St. Paul Fire Department says crews were called to a report of a fire at Trinity Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, on the 500 block of Farrington Street, just before 5:30 p.m.
"I just heard the lighting go 'boom'! I was laying on my couch. It was so loud and crazy. When I came outside, [it] was on fire," said neighbor Tisha Ferguson. "I called 911, but it was jammed up. I think a lot of people were calling."
After extinguishing, crews searched the interior to confirm everyone had exited safely. No injuries were reported.
Officials say the fire did not extend into the church, but the effects of water damage need to be assessed. The steeple, however, appears to be structurally unsound.
"I'm hearing that lightning struck twice. I never heard anything pop like that before. We were in the basement, it hit the breaker, it was unusual," said church owner William Hanson. "We have a crew coming out to seal it up to make sure it's safe, start cleaning up."
According to Saint Paul Historical, the church was erected in 1902, and underwent a renovation in 2013.
It was not immediately clear what plans the church has for its parishioners this Easter weekend.
The Department of Safety and Inspection was called to assess the structure. As a result, nearby sidewalks are blocked off and the street has been closed.
People are asked to avoid Sherburne Avenue between Virginia Street and Farrington Street, and Farrington Street between Sherburne Avenue and Charles Avenue.
The official cause of the fire is still under investigation.
