Priests 'moved to tears' by reaction after fire wrecks part of church

Church bosses say they were brought to ‘tears’ after the community rallied together to help following a fire at the place of worship. Emergency services were called to reports of the blaze at St Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church in Burnage on Thursday morning (November 7).

The fire caused damage to a section of the pulpit and a box containing the names of loved ones lost. Sunday’s service was also in jeopardy as it meant that it would have to be held at a local school instead.

Speaking to the M.E.N., Father Luke Bradbury of St Bernard’s, on Burnage Lane, said: “It was on Thursday morning that we noticed the smoke. The fire brigade came, forensics to check in case it was a hate crime or an arson attack.

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“It turned out to be a simple accident with the candle. The parishioners were very upset. It was a box with names of loved ones that died that caught fire. They’ve all been burnt but thankfully we take another copy of the names that is stored safely in church.”

As well as the box of names, the fire caused smoke damage and the carpet was destroyed. In desperate need of help to clean up the church and have it prepared for Sunday, Father Luke and local priest, Father Michael Kujackz, decided to use the power of social media.

“We said we’ll put on Facebook and reach out to see if anybody is around,” said Father Luke.

“We reached out because Remembrance Sunday is very important to us, for the fallen and it’s a really important time for people to come together and pray for peace in the world especially."

Father Luke says that between 80 to 100 people including residents, councillors, schools, and local businesses came to the church with cleaning products and tools or simply called to offer their help and condolences.

“We had the boy’s school next door come in, the Barlow High School, Bev Craig, lots of tradesmen, businessmen, Muslims, Hindus, Anglicans, you name it," he said.

“It was faith in action. Jesus said to love one another as we love ourselves. And we saw that in all faiths that came together and helped us in our hour of need. We were moved to tears by the efforts of everyone. It’s so hard to put into words how we feel.”

The church is hoping to invite everyone back for a carol service on Christmas.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines from Gorton Fire Station and Whitehill Fire Station arrived at the scene at around 9.15am. GMP also attended and the fire and rescue service were on the scene for around four hours. GMP is understood to be investigating the matter.