Church in SF’s Mission District damaged in possible arson on Good Friday
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Francisco church was damaged in the early hours of Good Friday by a fire, the San Francisco Fire Department said. The church remains structurally sound and there were no injuries.
People who run Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal Church believe the fire was a case of arson. SFFD could not confirm that, saying the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters responded to the church located at 1661 15th St. at 2:40 a.m. The outside of the building was damaged, and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames within five minutes, SFFD said.
SF receives over $8 million for street mall renovation project
The interior of the building was mostly not damaged. SFFD was unable to provide a financial estimate of the damage caused by the fire.
“We remain undaunted in our love for our Mission neighborhood and in wanting to share the good news that God is with us,” a post on the Church’s Instagram said.
The District 9 Supervisor at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Hillary Ronen announced that the fire is being investigated as a possible arson posted on Facebook, “There have been two fires in two evenings in the Mission. The first impacted St John’s Episcopal Church and the Gubbio Project the second damaged several homes on Julian Street leading to displacement of residents and some minor injuries. Thankfully no one has been seriously injured but the situation is very scary. I have been in contact with the staff at Gubbio and St John’s, police and fire. Both incidents are being investigated as potential arson and are being taken extremely seriously.”
The church proceeded with its Good Friday service Friday night and will also do so for the Great Vigil of Easter Saturday at 8 p.m. and Easter service Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
