(HANKINSON, ND) – Officials with the Diocese of Fargo say it’s likely a Hankinson catholic church can be saved, but extensive damage exists after a Monday fire.
Authorities were called to St. Philip’s Church at 4:20 p.m. Monday.
“Two parishioners entered the church shortly after the fire was reported and removed the Blessed Sacrament and a few sacred articles and vestments before being told not to re-enter the structure,” Diocese of Fargo spokesman Paul Braun said.
The fire was mainly concentrated in the attic of the church, Braun said, and there’s extensive damage to the church ceiling, both the collapsed section and the remainder of the ceiling, which has major water damage.
No cause or damage estimate has been made available.
Braun said Bishop John Folda has toured the damaged areas.