An early morning fire that was intentionally set June 30, caused about $1 million in damages to the social hall and gym at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Lorain.
The church and school, which are part of a four-building campus at 1305 E. Erie Ave., escaped damage in the blaze that the state fire marshal suspects was arson.
“They did declare this an incendiary fire,” Lorain Fire Department Assistant Chief Jonathon George said. “It was intentionally set.”
Lorain firefighters were called to the scene at 4:42 a.m. and left about 7 a.m.
The fire damage was contained in most part to the exterior of the social hall/gym, George said.
At first, firefighters were concerned the building might collapse, which would have made it easier for the fire to spread.
“That was a major concern when we arrived on scene,” George said. “There was a heavy amount of smoke coming from the gym and there was visible fire, and our assumption was there was going to be a great deal of fire inside.
“We were fortunate that this turned out to be mostly an exterior fire, but there was significant damage.”
By early afternoon, clean-up crews were on site.
The floor of the gym was noticeably sagging when viewed from an alley that runs between the gym and the school.
The fire apparently started in that alley.
A heavy smell of smoke permeated the alley which was riddled with charred debris.
Catholic churches across the country have been alerted to the fact they could be targets for arson after the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade earlier this month, said the Rev. Edward Smith, pastor at St. Anthony.
Smith said he doesn’t believe St. Anthony would have been targeted for that reason, though.
“We haven’t received any threats,” Smith said. “Of all the places to attack, I think Lorain would be unlikely.
“Churches have been on alert since the Dobbs decision. There were credible threats made against the Catholic church across the nation by Jane’s Revenge, so all the dioceses put out to the various churches to be aware and keep an eye out you never know.”
A sign offering a reward of up to $5,000 with the word “ARSON” in giant red letters was taped in grey masking tape on the rear of the social hall.
“We’re looking for suspects at this time; we have some idea of what caused it ,but we aren’t going to put that out at his time,” said Lorain fire Marshal and Assistant Chief Greg Neal, who noted there is video surveillance of the area that investigators will look at.
A St. Anthony of Padua elementary school in Parma fell victim to arson earlier this year.
That blaze caused $1 million in damages.
Neal said it is unclear if that fire is linked to the Lorain blaze.
