St Mark's Anglican Church in Rio Bueno, Trelawny, which was damaged by fire on Tuesday. (Photo: mark Cummings)

WESTERN BUREAU - Damage done to the 173 year-old St Mark's Anglican Church in Rio Bueno, Trelawny on Tuesday has been estimated at $4.5 million.

But that amount could increase after professional estimates are completed.

"We estimate that the damage to be at about $4.5 million at this time, but the figure could increase after the professional assessments are done," Father Alwyn Hall, who has been the pastor at the church since 1995, told the Observer yesterday.

The Rio Bueno police reported that the building caught fire at about 10:30 am, shortly after a fire was lit at the back of the Rio Bueno All Age School.

The police said the fire, fanned by the strong winds, quickly spread to the shingled roof of the church.

During the blaze, the police said members of the small fishing village managed to enter the building and secure most of the furniture.

The roof of the historical building, however, was completely destroyed.

Yesterday, Hall confirmed the destruction of the roof and added that damage was also done to other sections of the building.

"Some of the windows will have to be repaired, as well as the upper section of the balcony. The cooling down operations contributed to some of the damage," he said.

He, however, commended the residents for saving the furniture.

"I just want to thank the residents in the community for moving out all the furniture in the building during the fire," Hall said.

One unit from the Falmouth Fire Department extinguished the fire.

The church was not insured.
Hall said that on Sunday, March 6, a special service will be held under the belfry at the church in an effort "to allow the congregation to identify with the loss and to identify with their own situation".

After the special church service, he said, regular Sunday worship will be held under a tent that will be pitched on the church grounds.

Meanwhile, an account has been opened at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Falmouth Bank (a/c number 18:135) to accept contributions for the restoration of the building.

Hall said that plans are also being made to hold several fundraising activities.

- cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com

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