Flint McColgan
Boston Herald
(TNS)
Authorities believe that a fire that damaged a Catholic church in Franklin Wednesday evening was set intentionally and members of the public with viable information on the crime could be rewarded with up to $5,000.
“Houses of worship play a vital role in every community, and our hearts go out to everyone who made St. Mary’s a part of their lives,” Franklin Fire Department Chief James McLaughlin said in a statement announcing the suspected arson. “We’re deeply relieved that no one was injured and that firefighters were able to contain the fire damage.”
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The fire broke out in St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 1 Church Square at about 5:45 p.m. Firefighters were able to quickly put the fire out but heavy smoke damaged the interior of the building and required a lot of ventilation.
An investigation by the local fire and police department, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and the ATF “collectively determined that the fire was intentionally set.”
State Fire Marshal Jon Davine asked anyone with any information to call the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229. The program is underwritten by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that detects or prevents arson crimes, according to the Fire Marshal’s statement.
An “evening of prayer” was scheduled at 7 p.m. that evening to honor Father Jack Sullivan, according to the church’s Facebook page. A funeral mass was scheduled for “Father Jack” on Thursday at noon.
The Herald left a voicemail message with the church’s pastor requesting comment.
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