Worshipers at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego were forced from the building in mid-service Sunday, Dec. 17, after a fire was discovered in the undercroft. The Very Rev. Scott Richardson, dean, noticed a peculiar odor just as 300 people prepared to receive Holy Communion at about 11:30 a.m., and an assistant discovered the source was a fire in the women’s vesting room.

Dean Richardson informed the congregation of the need to evacuate the nave due to a fire. Clergy and eucharistic ministers exited after the congregation, and teams continued distributing communion outdoors.

Fire department officials are pursuing an arson investigation due to discovery of a pile of burned cassocks and surplices.

Dean Richardson praised the quick response by the San Diego Fire Department for its rapid and effective response. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes. In addition to the destruction of vestments used to start the fire, there was also deliberate damage done in the women’s rest room in the vesting area and two other public rest rooms on the other side of the building.

A member of the staff identified a man thought responsible and his description was given to the authorities, according to Dean Richardson. The preliminary damage estimate is $100,000, Dean Richardson said.

In a letter to the congregation sent the following day, Dean Richardson stated, “A potentially dangerous situation was avoided due to the quick action of our sextons and vergers. I am extremely grateful to all who stepped in immediately to control the chaos. I will never forget the orderly evaluation of 300 worshipers in a matter of just a few minutes.”

As a result of the fire, the cathedral lost power on one of the most active program weekends of the year. However, all the scheduled events for the day went forward. The cathedral’s “Mesa en Espaňol” was held at 1 p.m. in the church, and the final performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was offered in the Great Hall at 2:30. The annual Christmas Lessons and Carols service was held as scheduled at 4:30. Martin Green, canon for music, made some last-minute changes to sing a full a cappella version. About 400 worshipers gathered by candlelight for the service.

Power was restored the following morning and all the services planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning will go on as scheduled.

Dean Richardson concluded his letter to parishioners with a request that they “pray for the tormented one who caused the damage.”

(Canon) Andrew Rank

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