A garage and cars were damaged in a fire at St. Andrew's, Thorold, Ont.
Two churches in Thorold, Ont., sustained extensive fire damage within one week of each other in November. Fire officials and police have deemed the fires at St. Andrew's Presbyterian and St. John's Anglican "suspicious". No one was injured.
During an evening concert on Nov. 14, the audience at St. Andrew's noticed the stained glass windows were flooded with light. Rushing outside, parishioners saw the garage – housed directly between the church and the manse – engulfed in flames. Rev. Douglas Robinson's car was completely destroyed, and two others were damaged beyond repair. Several windows in the church were broken by the heat. There was between $75,000 and $100,000 in damages. Officials continue to investigate.
Six days later, Robinson again heard fire trucks at about 6 a.m. They were rushing to St. John's – a block away from the Presbyterian church. Fire had engulfed the church hall, kitchen and offices, both upstairs and down. The church suffered some smoke damage. Historical church documents in the 151-year-old building were saved.
St. Andrew's has opened its doors to the Anglican congregation. Sunday morning services have been shifted to accommodate the neighbouring congregation, and office space has been set aside for their use. Mr. Robinson said the Anglican church should be fit to conduct services in one to two months, but their hall and offices may not be ready for another year.
