(This story has been updated to include additional information.)
FRANKLIN — The state Fire Marshal's Office has declared Wednesday evening's fire at the St. Mary Parish church to be arson, with a $5,000 reward now being offered for information about its origin.
“Houses of worship play a vital role in every community, and our hearts go out to everyone who made St. Mary’s a part of their lives,” said Franklin Fire Chief James McLaughlin, in a prepared statement. “We’re deeply relieved that no one was injured and that firefighters were able to contain the fire damage.”
The $5,000 reward is being offered by the Arson Watch Reward Program, which is sponsored by the Property and Casualty Insurance Companies of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, for information that leads to the person responsible for the incident. Anyone who has information is asked to call the program's hotline at 1-800-682-9229.
St. Mary Parish, at One Church Square, sustained heavy smoke damage and may be closed for up to a month, McLaughlin told the Daily News on Thursday.
"It is suspicious," McLaughlin said of the fire, adding that its cause is not yet known. "The (state) Fire Marshal's investigators were out here last night, and they'll be back today (Thursday)."
Priest was preparing for Mass when alarm sounded
The fire occurred in a back room on the church's second floor. The room is used to store priests' vestments and other items. The Rev. Bob Poitras, St. Mary's pastor, was preparing for a 7 p.m. service when he heard a fire alarm, McLaughlin said.
"Father Poitras went to check, saw the fire and closed the door and left," the chief said.
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Poitras reported the fire at about 5:45 p.m. St. Mary's staff evacuated the church. McLaughlin said Franklin was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.
"We knocked the fire down pretty quickly," McLaughlin said. "(But) There is a significant amount of damage. The real issue is smoke damage. There is smoke damage throughout the church. There is some talk the church may be closed for a minimum of a month."
St. Mary Parish cancels services, Masses 'until further notice'
The parish canceled all planned services and Masses "until further notice," according to the church's website. Staff members were meeting Thursday about plans to hold at least one Sunday Mass in an alternate location, according to a staff member who answered the phone at the rectory.
The current church had its first service on March 5, 1924. The previous two St. Mary's churches were each destroyed by fire, according to a history of the parish on the church's website. St. Mary's became an independent parish in 1877.
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McLaughlin did not have a damage estimate except to say it was "extensive."
"At least no one was hurt and that's the most important thing," he said.
The fire is being investigated by the Franklin Police and Fire departments; the state Fire Marshal's Office; and the federal Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.