FORT SCOTT — Emergency crews battled overnight Monday into Tuesday morning to fight a fire that devastated Fort Scott’s Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
The southeast corner of the structure was engulfed in flames when crews arrived, shortly after 9 p.m. Monday.
The fire was extinguished Tuesday morning, but the church lost its roof and sustained heavy damage to the building’s interior.
The cause remains under investigation, according to a Fort Scott Fire Department press release.
One Fort Scott firefighter was treated for what was described as a minor injury.
Assisting with the call were firefighters from Nevada, Mo., Scott Township, Arma and Bourbon County Rural District 3. Also on hand were Fort Scott police officers and members of Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service.
Dedicated in 1872, the church is believed to be one of the oldest in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita. A separate school was built sometime around 1917.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the parishioners of St Mary’s Church, and the members of our community who have been affected by this tragedy,” Fort Scott Fire Chief Dave Bruner said.
