PHOTOS: Firefighters tackle heater fire at historic Petersburg church

Dec 3, 2025 - 03:25

0 0

PHOTOS: Firefighters tackle heater fire at historic Petersburg church

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Petersburg firefighters battled a fire inside a historic Catholic church on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, crews with Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services were called to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, located at 151 W. Washington St., after its fire alarm was set off.

When firefighters arrived, they could see no signs of fire from outside the building. However, once they entered, they found heavy smoke.

Firefighters began searching the building for the fire, as well as any people who may be inside. All occupants were found and, thankfully, none were hurt.

Dec. 2 heater fire at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Petersburg. (Photos: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services)

"Pushing deeper toward the sanctuary, firefighters located a heater on fire, giving off the wrong kind of 'Sunday heat' in a place normally filled with a very different kind of warmth," fire officials said.

Community wins fight to restore Armstrong-Kennedy High School name

The fire was put out before it could spread further throughout the historic church. Ultimately, the flames caused only minimal damage.

"Thankfully, the church’s alarm system did exactly what it was designed to do: alert early and give us a fighting chance," fire officials said.