The causes of all three fires are now under investigation, and here in NY, the FDNY says the fire that devastated the 161-year-old St. Sava church on West 25th Street does not appear to be suspicious, so far-though the NYPD arson and explosion squad has joined the investigation.
Advertisement
The fire erupted Sunday evening and in a matter of minutes the blazes covered up the entire Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sava in the Flatiron District, Newy York Fire Department told NBC.
Four firefighters were taken to Bellevue Hospital Center with minor injuries, and one civilian had minor injuries but refused medical treatment, the FDNY spokesman said.
Witnesses reported seeing thick smoke billowing from the roof of the Greek Orthodox Church on Victoria Parade, before flames started leaping from the windows. It is not yet clear what started the fire.
The cause of the fire at the Evangelismos church one day after Orthodox Easter celebrations is yet to be confirmed.
Paul Brennan, who works next door, said there was smoke pouring from the church.
Father Djokan Majstorovic, the church’s priest, told reporters, “I feel like I’m in a nightmare right now”, he said. CREDIT: Richard SilverThe historic church was built in the 1850s as an Episcopal church. They said the structure could collapse at anytime.
Less than 12 hours after the end of the Easter service, the Rockdale church, parts of which have been standing since the 1890s, was destroyed. “That’s when people were going insane”, Velic said.
“We’ve got I don’t know how many fire appliances, police, ambulance now in attendance”. The building was designated a city landmark in 1968.
Advertisement
“This is a huge loss for the community”, said Council Member Corey Johnson.
