Fire causes ‘significant’ damage to Point Douglas church

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This article was published 12/06/2024 (499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Point Douglas church previously damaged by fires at a nearby building was struck by a blaze Tuesday.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was sent to Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church at 197 Euclid Ave. shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, a City of Winnipeg news release sent Tuesday night said.

Firefighters had the blaze under control at 3:15 p.m.

The fire caused “significant” damage, the release said. The cause is under investigation.

The church previously sustained water and heat damage from fires at a nearby commercial building, the release said. The first fire, on Oct. 24, 2021, gutted the building. The second fire at the now-vacant building was on Nov. 15, 2023.

The church has also faced a rash of break-ins.

The church’s secretary said last year that crime and social issues were taking a toll on the building and parishioners.

“Our parishioners have said they feel unsafe coming to the area, even for Sunday morning services,” Stephanie Sarlakis told the Free Press in November.

Sarlakis said she feared the church would one day become another vacant building in the area.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca