I used to do arson investigations, and I also represented general contractors, architects, and subs. Did a lot of fire cases over a couple of decades.
If a building is undergoing renovations or construction, the odds are absolutely overwhelming that some negligent act by a subcontractor caused the fire. Usually it is either an electrician who wired something catastrophically wrong, or an idiot plumber is 'sweating' a pipe in close quarters, and is too lazy to wedge the insulation up behind his torch. Everybody goes home at the end of the day, and the mistake smolders until it takes fire. Since this happened around the time of morning Mass (daily Mass is usually pretty early so folks can get to work) it probably smoldered all night and then became visible (or more likely smellable) during the service.
I wouldn't bet the farm on this, but I'd bet a steak dinner.
Good points; I too don’t believe the Religion of Peace is involved. It’s either as you so describe (probably is) or also maybe a fire caused by one errant candle. One time in Mass, the flame in one of the candles someone lit in front of a statue of Mary started to get bigger and bigger for whatever reason. I’m not really sure why. I think because the person who lit it left the little wooden stick in the candle after lighting it.
Anyway it started to become a small conflagration, engulfing the candles around it. Eventually our deacon ran and got a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flame. So anyway if something similar happened here I can see how a poorly lit votive candle could cause a major fire in no time. Especially if there was some construction materials lying around the site.
You are probably correct.
The knee-jerk responses here were astonishing.
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