EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – A fire has destroyed a historic church in downtown Edmundston, New Brunswick early Saturday morning.
The Fire Department of Edmundston says the fire broke out at St. John the Baptist Church around 4:30 a.m. Officials say 30 firefighters were able to contain the fire within two hours.
Local fire marshals were on the scene Saturday trying to determine the cause of the fire. After the investigation, the fire marshal says the fire’s cause is suspicious, despite early reports it may have been started by faulty electrical wiring.
As a result, Edmundston police have launched a formal investigation.
"We are currently analyzing all the information. We hope to conclude the investigation quickly," says Police Chief Gilles Lee.
Police will also be investigating the building used by Alcohol Anonymous, which was destroyed by fire two weeks ago. The church and the AA hall were both located on the same lot.
The St. John the Baptist Church Provincial Historic Site was built between 1878 and 1887. It was the oldest church in the area.
No one was inside the church at the time of the fire.
