(UPDATE: May 10 @ 2:20 pm) - The Anglican Diocese of Kootenay (ADK) has released a statement about the devastating overnight fire that destroyed a historic church, old elementary school and one home in Greenwood, BC.
It called the news they woke up to this morning "sad and distressing," but expressed gratitude that there was no loss of life.
“The loss of St. Jude’s is a blow to the Anglican community and a sad day for the people of Greenwood,” said Bishop Lynne McNaughton.
“Not only was it a testament to our shared history, but as one of the oldest buildings in Greenwood, it has been a place for worship and community since 1901.”
While calling it a somber moment, the ADK said that several members of the broader Anglican community have reached out to learn how they can help those affected by the destructive blaze.
The ADK said it is working with the authorities as more is learned about the cause of the fire.
(Original story: May 10 @ 9:10 am) - A large, devastating fire destroyed multiple buildings in Greenwood, BC, Canada’s smallest city.
Former Greenwood mayor Barry Noll told NowMedia that the fire started overnight in the historic St. Jude's Anglican Church, which was built in 1901.
The fire then spread to the old elementary school next door, Noll said, and at least one neighbouring residence.
Fire crews from multiple jurisdictions responded to the massive blaze and it has since been knocked down, but firefighters remain at the scene on mop-up duty.
Current and past residents of the tiny city are certainly feeling the loss, with Fiona Christian-Jean Skelton calling it “devastatingly sad news.
“We lost a part of us last night - a connection to the earliest days of the city, and the region,” wrote Christopher Stevenson, admin of the Boundary Heritage group on Facebook.
"Generations of parishioners…baptisms, weddings, funerals (and) events. A place that held it all, within its simple wooden walls. Very sad.”
There’s no official word yet on exactly how many buildings were affected by the fire or whether there were any injuries.
NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.
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