Pinewood Catholic church struck by lightning

Ken Johnston
Editor

Prayers and the determination of volunteer firemen from three area fire departments saved the catholic church in Pinewood from burning to the ground Tuesday.

Our Lady of the Way Church was struck by lightning some time around Noon Tuesday. Father James Panikulam said that he was near the church when the lightning struck and knew it was close. However he did not realize at the time it had hit the church.

A couple of hours passed and the steeple smouldered away until it became evident that it was on fire. Smoke began to emerge from the top of the structure and someone passing by on the highway called it in.

Tom McCormick of Pinewood said that he noticed it about 2 p.m. and figured it smouldered about two hours.

Three area fire departments, Rainy River, Pinewood and Stratton responded to the call and were on the scene by about 2:15 p.m.

Firemen quickly assessed the situation and climbed up two extension ladders to reach the bell tower. Apparently a trap door from the inside of the church to the tower had been sealed from above several years ago and could not be opened.

Once in the tower RR Firemen Stuart Dyck and Darren Lowes cut a hole in the base of the steeple and hit it with water from the RR pumper truck. As it ran out the Pinewood pumper truck was connected to the RR truck to refill it.

About an hour later the fire was out. Pieces of the inner wooden liner of the steeple came out under water pressure in black charcoal chunks.

The church, which celebrated its 100th birthday in July of 2000 was insured.