Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-06
LIGHTNING STRIKES
CATHOLIC Church
$4,000 Organ Ruined From
Intense Heat in Alex
andria Fire.
snecial nisnatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, June "a ter
rife bolt of lightning, striking the St.
| Mary's Roman Catholic Church at the
height of the thunderstorm early. last
night set fire to the wooden beams be-
tween the roof and ceiling, causing
damage estimated by Father McKeefry,
pastor of the church, at approximately
$50 900.
Principal damage to the handsome
stone edifice, the largest church in this
city, was caused by the tons Of water
poured into the building from five lines
of hose manned by three companies Of
volunteer firemen, who worked Valiant
ly for nearly two hours before Subduing
the flames.
The metal ceiling and slate roof,
which made it practically impossible to
effectively combat the flames devour-
ing the wooden beams, seriously handi-
capped the work Of the fire fighters.
$4,000 Organ Ruined.
The organ, valued at $4,000, was
ruined by the intense heat, which
warped the pipes, while large part of
the metal ceiling collapsed, weakening
the portion still standing, which prob
ably will have to be replaced. 1t Is also
thought that new altar will have to be
installed.
Vessels from the main altar and the
side affairs were carried to safety by
church members and early arrivals
upon the scene, under the direction of
Father Michael ]. Cannon, assistant
pastor.
The bolt struck the church at 7;30
o'clock just as Father Cannon was pre-
pairing to open services for about IS
! worshipers. The lightning hit the rod
3D. thYnn0I1
the electric wiring system, showering
sparks from the fuse box near the altar,
nearly burning Father Cannon as he
passed by.
Not realizing that the lightning which
apparently had only extinguished the
electric lights, had set fire to the beams
between the ceiling and roof, Father
Cannon and the church members calm
ly completed the brief service and had
cleared the church before the fire was
discovered, 80 minutes after the bolt
had struck.
Alarm Sounded.
j. T. Preston, ST., of 2l8 South Royal
street, secretary of the Chamber OF
Commerce, saw great volumes of smoke
pouring from the church, which is To-
Gated on the 800 block, South Royal
street, and turned in the alarm. No.
hell6I 1EuCk anu EIlBiIlc NOHlpdIly Ic-
Sponded on the first alarm and No.
and No 5 engine companies were i'm
mediately called out by Fire Chief
James M. Duncan, jr.
Holes were cut in the roof and two
! streams of water we're brought into play
J upon the burning inferno which had
| gained great Roadway. Firemen took
| three other lines into the interior of
the church and fought the flames from
| that point.
Ceiling Collapsed.
A great portion Of the metal cell
! ing collapsed beneath the weight OF
! the water which accumulated in the
loft and firemen inside the church mar
rowly escaped serious injury as the
heavy metal fell.
! Henry Scott, member Of No. / Relief
Truck and Engine Company was over
come by smoke while fighting the blaze
from a point near the steeple. He was
carried to safety by Firemen Bernard
| Hull of No. Engine Company and
| Lawrence Kersey, member OF the
church. He was treated at the Alexan-
dria Hospital.
Much Of the debris inside the struc-
tlre was cleared away during the night
by church members working under the
Illumination of a huge searchlight.