“That is why you have security systems in place at places of worship.”
—
Good lord,everyone here is jumping to conclusions.
They say construction work might be the cause.
.
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.
Or a candle conveniently misplaced?