Damage in St. Vladimir fire valued at $4 million, police say cause undetermined

A devastating fire at an Arnold church over the weekend caused $4 million in damage, according to a state police fire marshal.

Trooper Keith Sobecki said the cause of the blaze at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church is undetermined, pending further investigation.

The fire at the 74-year-old Kenneth Avenue church, sending flames through the roof, was reported about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters worked for three hours to get the blaze under control. They were hampered by a metal roof that prevented water from getting to the flames, according to fire officials.

The twisted remnants of the roof were visible the next day after firefighters had to break through it the night before to quell the flames. There are about 35 congregants, some of whom met next door at their social hall Sunday for regular services.

The parish dates to 1911 with the original church on Third Avenue. The Kenneth Avenue building opened in 1947.

Firefighters rescued statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and the original pulpit, all dating to the 1911 church. Other items, including the Book of Gospel, tall metal crosses, tabernacle, decades-old shrouds and the offerings collected at Saturday afternoon’s liturgy, were ferried over to the social hall as the fire continued.

In addition to church services, other parish activities are continuing in the parish social hall, which was untouched by the fire.

On Saturday, the parish’s weekly pierogi and cookie sales will continue from 9 a.m. to noon in the church hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Cost: potato and cheese or sauerkraut pierogi, $11 per dozen; cookies, $5 to $12 per dozen depending on the variety.