TORONTO - An official at Oshawa's St. Philip the Apostle Church yesterday called the suspicious fire at their building Christmas Day the work of a "copy cat."
The blaze, which began around 5:30 a.m. Friday morning on Oxford St., is the second church fire in Durham Region in as many weeks. Church workers wouldn't say much about details, because the case is still under investigation, but said the damage is extensive.
"The word, 'copycat' was mentioned," said one woman, who didn't identify herself behind the church door. "But we don't know if there's a connection to the Whitby fire because it's so far away."
While they were able to contain the blaze quickly, authorities say the building suffered "extensive" smoke damage. Statues outside the church were also damaged.
Durham police said yesterday they didn't have any more information on where the fire began or how extensive the damage is and said it is "still too early to determine if there is any connection between the two incidents."
Yellow police tape still cordoned off the front and side entrances of the building, the air smelling of smoke. One of the three broken windows where police suspect served as a way into the church remained boarded up. A wreath hung on the door with a sign below that read: No service due to fire.
Tom Orser, who helps out with maintenance of the church, said it will be a long time before mass services resume, but they will be posting alternate places of worship where people can go to in the meantime through their website, stphiliptheapostle.com.
"It'll be quite a while, that's all we know," he said. "There's a lot of smoke damage. We're still in transition right now."
Neighbour Jack Rolson, whose backyard is directly adjacent to the church property, said he saw the flashing lights from fire crews that morning and is glad no one at St. Philip's was injured.
"It's our church," said Rolson, 57. "I think the person who has done it is a nut, because he's burning churches and that's all we really have. I have no respect for anyone who would do that. I think it's probably the same person (who started the fire in Whitby)."
JENNY. YUEN@SUNMEDIA.CA
