A long-standing Yonkers church building was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning. The Buckingham Road rectory, which has served the neighboring community for several generations, is located beside the St. George Orthodox Church. The properties were recently purchased by a Jordanian Orthodox Christian group. The group had planned on using the space to expand their community.
The fire broke out shortly after 3:00am and firefighters rushed to the scene after a neighbor, Yuriy Mykula, witnessed the fire and its rapid spread throughout the building. In an interview with CBS New York, Mykula described the fire.
By the time I got off the phone with 911, the fire had already spread to multiple windows. It spread very quickly.
Fortunately, the building was empty at the time and no injuries of congregants were reported. Several firefighters were treated in hospital for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
Heavy Fire Prompts Large Firefighter Response
According to authorities, between 70 and 80 firefighters rushed to the scene to battle the blaze. As flames engulfed the structure, crews were forced to extinguish the fire from the outside. While they were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to the neighboring church, the rectory building was reduced to ash and rubble. Damage from the fire was extensive, with the roof partially collapsing and the inside being damaged by fire, smoke, and water.
According to Yonkers Deputy Fire Chief Joe Citrone, the building was already engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived. It took firefighters close to 3 hours to get the blaze under control. Although the exact cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation at this time, authorities suspect a spark from recent renovations and construction may be to blame.
Sad Blow to Jordanian Christian Community
The building at 20 Buckingham Road in Yonkers was purchased last year by a Jordanian Orthodox Christian community. In an interview with CBS New York, Rev. Protopresbyter Soterios Baroody of St. George Orthodox Church lamented the impact of the fire on the new group of parishioners.
“We just bought the property, about 50 families. And unfortunately, this fire happened just before Christmas,” he said.
Father Elias Villis, chancellor for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan District, echoed the loss.
It’s just a really big punch in the gut, as far as the community. But they’ve got a strong heart, unbelievable faith and love.
Loss of Community Gathering Place
Neighbors in the surrounding areas remember the building as being a fixture in their community for decades. The rectory was previously used as a community hall, playhouse, daycare, and community gathering place for people of all denominations.
Community member Armando Rauso recalls fond memories of the space.
“My sisters, when they were younger, there were a lot of dance parties there, everything. They had just about everything in there.”
While renovations were ongoing, the Jordanian Orthodox Christian community had been using the space for bible study, Sunday prayer, other church events, and storage.
Plans for the upcoming Christmas mass and festivities are still unclear, but as the main church was not damaged, the group hopes to re-open in time for Christmas services.
“They’re going to bounce back,” Father Villis stated. “It’s a very strong, vibrant community.”
