Historic church burns to the ground
Last updated Jun 29 2005 06:02 PM ADT
CBC News
An historic church in Sainte Anne-de-Kent, in eastern New Brunswick, burned to the ground Wednesday afternoon after being struck by lightning.

Fire departments from more than two dozen surrounding communities responded to the fire, but they couldn't save the wooden structure.

A big thunderstorm rolled into the area in the mid-afternoon.

Members of the village volunteer fire department were driving near the church when they saw a bolt of lightning strike the steeple shortly before 4 p.m.

They went immediately to investigate the damage. But they said the smoke was already thick when they stepped inside the building.

RELATED LINK: File photo of church
A witness on the scene said huge flames were shooting out of the church within minutes of the lightning strike and the steeple and the roof collapsed soon after.

The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen for several kilometres.

More than a dozen fire trucks continued to pour water on the remains of the church for more than an hour after it collapsed, though only as a precaution against the fire spreading to some nearby buildings.

The church was over 100 years old.

It was known for its rare chandeliers and the beautiful paintings on its walls and ceiling.

Hundreds of people gathered around the charred remains, saying the fire was a terrible loss.