Treze de Maio church destroyed by large fire

A major fire destroyed the structure of the Igreja Matriz São José in Treze de Maio, Santa Catarina, on Sunday morning. The blaze was reported around 10:22 a.m., shortly after a mass had concluded and the temple was closed. The fire appeared to originate near the sacristy, quickly spreading to the interior and consuming the roof.

Emergency response efforts involved multiple agencies, including the Military Fire Brigade and volunteer firefighters from Jaguaruna, Sangão, and Treze de Maio. Crews utilized specialized equipment, such as a mechanical ladder truck, to combat the flames. While the building's structure suffered extensive damage, including a collapsed roof and structural cracks, no injuries were reported.

Local residents assisted in rescuing sacred images, benches, and other parish items before the fire spread extensively. The parish released a statement expressing grief over the loss but emphasizing the community's continued faith.

Notably, a report indicated that just two days prior to the fire, a former employee of the parish had been sentenced to prison for financial crimes involving the church. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by forensic experts.