Firefighters, parish staff work to restore church after St. Matthew blaze
Arlington Fire Department quickly extinguished the two-alarm fire on the roof of St. Matthew Church in Arlington on June 16. (courtesy photo/Arlington Fire Department)
ARLINGTON — A quick response from Arlington firefighters spared the sanctuary of St. Matthew Church from serious damage June 16 after flames erupted on the roof of the adjacent education wing.
Called to the scene at 1:50 p.m. after parish staff smelled a noxious odor and saw smoke, firemen arriving at the one-story church immediately requested a second fire unit due to the structure’s size and occupancy.
Church employees evacuated the building, and no one was injured. Firefighters brought the minor blaze under control in 15 minutes.
“They were amazing,” said church receptionist Mariela Vera describing the fire crew’s efficient teamwork. “The hoses and ladders were brought out quickly and they made sure we were alright and no one else was in the building.”
The fire started in an area where a hot patch repair was being done by roofers, according to Tom Ross, diocesan director of construction and facilities.
“We think a spark from the equipment that heats tar got between a gutter and soffit with leaves and sticks and ignited the fire,” he explained. “We’re sure it was from the roofing process.”
The fire knocked out all the power to buildings on the campus.
“Damage was in a 10’ x 10’ space and the structure underneath was burned and charred. It will have to be replaced,” Ross pointed out. “The charred wood creates an odor that permeates the building.”
In addition to the roof, two classrooms and a hallway were damaged but, other than the odor of smoke, the sanctuary was unaffected. Testing is currently being done to verify there is nothing toxic in the air that could cause harm.
“Right now we’re in the process of preparing for impending weather by making sure things are closed up tight,” he added. “We don’t want rain to infiltrate the building and cause further damage.”
Except for the immediate fire area, the diocesan director is confident the parish will resume normal activities by Monday. Ross could not estimate the cost of repairs but said insurance representatives were on site the morning after the fire.
“That is still being reviewed,” he said.
Masses are currently being celebrated but whether that will continue on Saturday and Sunday depends on air testing results. Meetings and classes at St. Matthew are cancelled throughout the weekend.
Vera, the parish’s receptionist, was helping the religious education department register families for first Communion and confirmation on the morning of the fire when she began hearing loud noises and noticing an unpleasant smell in the building. Smoke was later seen coming out of the auditorium area.
“It was about 1:30 in the afternoon when it started really smelling like a fire,” the church employee explained. “We locked the front office and walked outside to see white smoke coming out of the roof with flames. I was worried because I grew up in this church and didn’t want the fire to get worse.”
St Matthew’s parish office was closed June 17 but the pastor, Father Ariel Sanchez, celebrated the regular 7 p.m. Spanish Mass in the church that evening. Parishioners were allowed to enter and exit only through the front door of the building.
Vera, the daughter of Deacon Sergio Vera, said people have been contacting both of them to find out what happened at the church.
“We expect to start registering for the sacraments again on Monday,” she added.