Priest pulled from burning church in Hacienda Heights
Firefighters helped a Catholic priest escape from a church fire in Hacienda Heights early Saturday, before the blaze completely destroyed the house of worship, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The fire, which occurred shortly after midnight Friday, caused an estimated $8 million in damage to St. John Vianney Catholic Church at 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road. According to Supervising Fire Dispatcher Michael Pittman, firefighters pulled the priest from the burning structure. The priest did not suffer any serious injuries, he said.
It took 100 county firefighters more than two hours to douse the flames. "The building was fully engulfed in fire," Pittman said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Sheriff's Lt. Arthur Scott.
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Photo: Firefighters put out the blaze at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I have photos that I took, I don't know if they're of any use anymore, but let me know if you'd like copies. I would be more than happy to email them.
Posted by: Miguel M. | April 16, 2011 at 01:40 PM
How sad to see my childhood church burn down. Both my sister and I were married here as well as our parents received their funeral services.
Daughter received her first holy communion.
Posted by: Christine Foote | April 16, 2011 at 03:52 PM
to the Pastor, do you need vestments? altar books? u have some you can have. sorry for your lose fr jim
Posted by: retired rev james lee moore | April 17, 2011 at 10:54 AM
....and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Posted by: Horatio Hornblatt | April 22, 2011 at 09:28 PM
MY CHILDHOOD IS NOW GONE I WENT TO THIS CHURCH EVERYDAY WHILE I WAS ATTENDING LOS ALTOS HIGH .AND I EVEN KNEW ONE OF THE PASTOR AT THE TIME. A FATHER JOSEPH SHEA I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNEW HIM LIKE I DID. I HOPE THEY GET THE SOBs
WHO DID THIS AND MAY THEY BURN IN HELL!!!!
Posted by: Charles Volcher | April 24, 2011 at 12:48 PM