St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in Tarzana destroyed in a fire

Sad News - St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in Tarzana destroyed in a fire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5WzxAweiFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1eUYtBtgMI

Fire Does Major Damage to Church in Tarzana
KTLA News

Firefighters work to extinguish the church fire amid the smoke. (KTLA Sky 5 / October 16, 2009)

TARZANA -- St. Mary Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East Tarzana sustained significant damage in a fire Friday evening that burned as hundreds of parishioners looked on.

It took 95 firefighters about 25 minutes to put out the blaze, which was reported at 5955 N. Lindley Ave. around 6:35 p.m.

Arriving firefighters reported smoke coming from a stained-glass window at the front of the church, where a big eucalyptus tree also caught fire, according to Devin Gales if the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Most of the damage appeared to be to the front of the church, but firefighters also cut holes in the roof.

A damage estimate was unavailable early Saturday.

No injuries were reported.

The fire will be investigated by the House of Worship Task Force, which was set up years ago to examine a string of fires in predominantly black churches.

The task force includes members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, FBI, Los Angeles Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Copyright © 2009, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles

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Our thoughts and prayers go to all of St Mary’s parish members and all of Assyrian Church of the East members. It is indeed so heartbreaking to see one of our church buildings being destroyed like this. However, we are the church and we will rebuild it again soon. Thank God no one was injured.

Also, we have been informed that Cor-Bishop Fr. Gewargis doesn't believe nor agree that the candles were cause of the fire as the candle lighting area is safe and has been used for several years safely. We also learned that Cor-Bishop Fr. Gewargis was able to save the bread (Malka) that is used to make holy mass every week, which was in the midst of the fire. Thus, the holy bread, was not damaged and was protected by the Holy Spirit.