Originally published at National Catholic Register
Federal agents are assisting in the investigation of a fire that severely damaged a Catholic church in the Diocese of Tucson last week.
St. Anthony of Padua Church in Casa Grande, Arizona, reported on Facebook on Friday that an early morning fire on Oct. 18 had damaged the church building.
No injuries were reported and firefighters quickly put out the fire, the Facebook post said. The church will be using its community center for Masses as a result of the blaze.
Casa Grande Fire Marshal Frank Ricci told local NBC affiliate KVOA that the fire likely started in a shed on the property. Ricci told the network that the majority of the building had been severely damaged by the blaze.
“Based on the damage that’s occurred inside the structure, I’m saying this is probably about 65% – 70% loss of the structure,” Ricci said.
A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) told CNA on Tuesday that the agency is investigating the case. “We are assisting the Casa Grande fire department with their investigation,” the spokesman said.
Asked if officials were investigating the fire as a possible incidence of arson, the ATF directed CNA to
