SAINT PAUL (trfnews.i234.me) – TRF News is following breaking news out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, where a church steeple caught fire late Thursday afternoon, prompting a major fire department response and widespread street closures.
Fire crews were dispatched just before 5:30 p.m. to the 500 block of Farrington Street after multiple reports of flames erupting from the steeple of a local church. Eyewitnesses and arriving firefighters described seeing tall flames shooting high above the structure as they approached the scene.
Thanks to a rapid response by fire teams, the flames were quickly brought under control. Crews then swept through the building’s interior to ensure that everyone had safely evacuated. Fortunately, officials confirmed no injuries.
While the fire was contained to the steeple itself and did not spread into the main body of the church, the steeple now appears to be structurally unstable. Out of caution, the Department of Safety and Inspections was called in to assess the damage. As a result, sidewalks and streets surrounding the church remain barricaded until a full structural evaluation can be completed.
Though interior fire damage seems minimal, authorities say water damage inside the building is still being assessed. The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing. However, early reports from fire officials suggest that a lightning strike may have sparked the blaze.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly fire can cause structural instability, even without widespread flames inside a building.
Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation continues and safety crews work to ensure the area is secure.
Did you know?
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Steeple fires, though uncommon, can be caused by lightning strikes due to the tall structure acting as a natural lightning rod.
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Water damage from fire suppression can often lead to more costly repairs than the fire damage itself.
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The National Fire Protection Association recommends that historic buildings install lightning protection systems to prevent these types of fires.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.