Three buildings, including a century-old church, were destroyed by fire in the small B.C. city of Greenwood on Thursday night. Saint Jude’s Anglican Church, built in 1901, and a former elementary school were among the buildings razed in the fire. Greenwood, located in the Southern Interior about an hour east of Osoyoos on Highway 3, has a population of around 700. The city did not confirm the identity of the third building destroyed but stated that a garage was also lost, and some surrounding homes were damaged by the fire.
The city of Greenwood requested that the public refrain from speculating about the fire until a full investigation has been conducted. The volunteer fire department, along with assistance from Midway Fire Rescue and Grand Forks Fire Rescue, worked to extinguish the blaze. Midway is located about a 10-minute drive southwest of Greenwood, while Grand Forks is approximately 30 minutes southeast. The old school that was destroyed had been listed for sale and was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire.
The Anglican Church expressed sorrow over the loss of Saint Jude’s and mentioned that no lives were lost in the fire. The church sympathized with the individual who lost their home as a result of the blaze. Bishop Lynne McNaughton of the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay stated that the destruction of Saint Jude’s is a significant loss for the Anglican community and the people of Greenwood. The church, as one of the oldest buildings in the area, has been a place of worship and community since its construction in 1901.
As investigations into the fire continue, the city of Greenwood has not provided further statements on the incident. Residents and officials are working to collect facts and understand the circumstances surrounding the destruction of the three buildings. The city expressed gratitude to the emergency services who responded to the fire and requested support from the public in allowing authorities to complete their work efficiently and effectively.
The devastating fire in Greenwood has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of historic buildings, including Saint Jude’s Anglican Church. Efforts to rebuild and support those affected by the fire will be ongoing as residents come together to recover from the tragedy. The destruction of such significant structures has had a profound impact on the local population, but the spirit of resilience and community support will undoubtedly guide Greenwood through the challenging times ahead.
