WATCH: Fire burns the Holland United Church steeple in Manitoba.
WINNIPEG – The Holland United Church was severely damaged by fire during a thunderstorm on the weekend.
The fire was sparked when lightning hit the church, Holland Fire Department Chief Brent Baete said.
READ MORE: Manitoba homes suffer storm damage
The spire was engulfed by flames that were fought by volunteer firefighters from Holland, Cyprus River and Treherne, Baete said.
“It was a tough fire to get out,” he said, explaining the old tongue-and-groove construction of the building made dousing the flames difficult.
WATCH: Volunteer firefighters battle blaze in Holland, Manitoba.
However, the firefighters largely contained the fire to the steeple and the east end of the roof, he said.
Baete didn’t know if the building would be fixed or declared a writeoff. Insurance adjusters were supposed to assess the damage Monday, he said.
The original church, which has been added to but still stands at the spot, was built in 1888, said David Drummond, one of the church leaders. He expressed optimism that the congregation would be able to repair the damage, which was mostly caused by smoke except in the steeple, he said.
“I think we’re looking at a great big facelift,” Drummond said.
Holland is a small community about 130 kilometres west of Winnipeg.
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