San Gabriel mission church fire began in choir loft, official says

A weekend fire that gutted the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel church started in the choir loft on the second floor, then spread to the ceiling and the wooden roof, authorities said Monday.

But investigators have not yet determined what started the blaze, which broke out early Saturday morning at the 215-year-old church on West Mission Drive.

Investigators took collected materials over to a lab, San Gabriel Fire Capt. Antonio Negrete said.

The fire began at the choir loft, which is about 250 square feet, he said, adding that there was substantial burning in one area. It spread to the ceiling. Once the fire reached the attic space it spread to the roof, he added.

Authorities deemed the building unsafe and red-tagged it.

“Some parts of the roof are still there but hanging on precipitously,” Negrete said.

Church officials do not yet have an estimated cost of damages. Once investigators are finished at the scene the church will assess the damage, according to Terri Huerta, director of development & communication for the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel said.

Because of Covid19, they have been holding live stream services at the chapel of the Annunciation which is located on the other side of the garden, she said.

The church has 1200 registered parishioners, Huerta said.

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel was founded in Sept. 8, 1771 by Father Junipero Serra whose statutes have recently been toppled by activists and protesters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. Serra paved the way for Spanish colonialization of California.

The mission moved to its current site in 1775 and the construction on the church was completed in 1805, Huerta said.

Paintings, the Stations of the Cross, and other artifacts had been removed from the sanctuary as part of the renovations in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the mission’s founding next year, according to Archbishop Jose H. Gomez in an earlier statement.

The Verdugo Fire Investigation Arson Task Force is handling the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting.

Church officials plan to rebuild the church. Interested donors can donate via the church website at https://parish.sangabrielmissionchurch.org/