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Fire guts Mt. Carmel Cathedral
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Posted on Dec 16 1999
A small fire struck Mt. Carmel Cathedral yesterday afternoon, destroying glass windows and portion of the second floor of the 50-year-old church that has become a landmark on Saipan. No one was reported injured, officials said.
According to Lt. Ray Villagomez of the Fire Division of the Department of Public Safety, the fire broke out at around 5:00 p.m. and was declared under control 20 minutes later.
Mr. Villagomez said it was too early to speculate as to what triggered the blaze that broke the glass windows along the front entrance of the church and portion of windows on the second floor.
But he said they are looking at the possibility that it might have started from the candle holders located in front of the wall near the staircase leading to the second floor.
“We are still investigating as to what really caused the fire. We are looking at all angles,” Mr. Villagomez said.
The Fire Division received the first call at around 5:09 p.m. from a police officer who was patrolling near the area. Fire fighters from Garapan, Susupe, and Koblerville responded to the fire scene while an ambulance stood by. Crew members from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation rushed to Mt. Carmel to restore power.
Glass shards littered the main entrance of Mt. Carmel and the back section was soaked in water, prompting church officials to cancel a mass scheduled at 6:00 p.m. and move the novena to the Social Hall. Churchgoers milled outside the cathedral hoping there would be a mass.
According to Public Safety Commissioner Charles Ingram, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio had been informed of the incident. He also commended the fire fighters for their “excellent response time.”
Mt. Carmel celebrated its 50th Anniversary last Sunday with a concelebrated mass.
