BREAKING: A devastating three-alarm fire that engulfed the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Chester, Pennsylvania, has been confirmed as accidental due to an electrical malfunction, fire officials announced today. The fire, reported at 5:44 a.m. on November 26, 2023, took an astonishing 28 hours to fully extinguish, leaving a community in shock.
Fire investigators from the Chester Fire Department, Delaware County Criminal Investigation Unit, Pennsylvania State Police, and the ATF worked tirelessly to determine the cause. Upon arrival, firefighters found the church ablaze, sparked by an arcing electrical line connected to the building.
As the situation escalated, a second alarm was requested at 5:55 a.m. Firefighters discovered flames spreading into void spaces within the structure, prompting a rapid response. Approximately 50 minutes into the firefighting efforts, a critical moment arose when some firefighters became separated from their hose line. A “mayday” call was issued, leading to the deployment of a rapid intervention team. Fortunately, the separated crew regained their bearings and evacuated safely, but conditions deteriorated, necessitating the evacuation of all personnel from the building.
The fire prompted a third alarm, forcing crews to switch to a defensive strategy to mitigate injury risks. Over 12 hours, firefighting teams from Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, along with New Castle County in Delaware and Gloucester County, New Jersey, battled the flames.
As the fire raged, city crews remained on-site, with staff from DELCORA responding on Thanksgiving Day to drain nearly 20,000 gallons from the building’s basement, allowing firefighters access to critical areas. Multiple structural collapses complicated efforts, with several support components completely burned away. Fire officials reported that crews were ultimately able to locate safe zones to extinguish remaining hot spots.
Despite the scale of the fire, no injuries were reported, but the emotional toll on the community is palpable as they grapple with the loss of a cherished landmark. Local residents and former parishioners are left wondering how their once-vibrant place of worship could be reduced to ruins.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant about electrical safety, especially during the winter months. Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the aftermath and recovery efforts in Chester.
