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FIRE DESTROYS CHURCH Vol. 132 Number 28 Damage estimated to be over $2 million By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Firefighters from three Durham halls fought in vain ear- ly Sunday morning as fire ravaged the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Port Perry. The fire was first spotted by passersby about 3:30 a.m., who alerted 911 and knocked. on the adjacent door of the Parish Priest, Father Charles Faleiro, to warn him of the danger. By the time firefighters arrived at the scene on Hwy. 7A flames were visible from east windows and the roof area. High winds fanned the flames. Firefighters from Port Perry and Caesarea halls responded and a ladder truck from Oshawa battled the blaze, but the struc- ture was fully involved by the time they arrived and the roof collapsed quickly. Scugog Fire Chief Richard COMPLETE DEVASTATION - Fire leaps through the roof of Immaculate Miller was on scene with hismen. Conception Church in Port Perry about 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning, in what is "It was fully involved when we being described as one of the worst fires in many years. More than 20 firefight- arrived about 4 a.m." he said. ers fought the blaze, including firemen with a ladder truck who were called in Please turn to page 4 from Oshawa. More photos and stories on pages 4, 5. Parishioners watch with tear filled eyes By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Passersby may have averted a larger tragedy early Sunday morning when they spotted flames coming from the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. One local man who was on early morning deliveries spot- ted flames in windows at the northwest corner windows of the building. "I was driving by, oh, around 3:30 or 3:40 a.m. when I spot- ted the flames and lots of smoke," said the man, who didn't want to be identified. "The wind was blowing up pretty good." UNISOURCE "Solarimage" Laser/Inkjet Paper Extra bright white finish. 500 sheets per pack ; 776301 Letter Size. 5.89 pk. | 776303 Legal Size ...... ... 1.59 pk ABN pd EIIASRNS] Fy» FINA He said he was not the only one who stopped to help. Other motorists stopped, and two of them were headed to the pri- est's residence adjacent to the church to warn him. In all, three passersby stopped to warn the priest of imminent danger. Sharon Thibodeau, 24 and Stuart Mulcahy, 23, had just dropped a friend off and were on their way home to Uxbridge when they noticed the fire and smoke. "While we were driving by we saw a lot of smoke and flames," Ms Thibodeau said. "There were a lot of sparks and Please turn to page 5 J. PETER HVIDSTEN / PORT PERRY STAR OUR JUNE SALE HAS HOT SAVINGS EVERYDAY THIS MONTH 3 4 I HEL FELLOWS SALE Hig "Tree Dimensians" Multi-media STORAGE TOWER each 66432 Natural Oak Finish Holds 450 CD's or 120 VHS tapes a. == AE TN