Fire Destroys St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Kentwood

Fireworks may be to blame for a spectacular fire that gutted St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Kentwood in the early morning hours of Sunday. No one was inside when the fire began around 1 a.m. Multiple fire departments were needed to battle the blaze at the church on 52nd Street near Christie Avenue. The flames were so intense firefighters were forced to defensive positions. It took hours for the fire to be brought under control. The fire began on the rear roof and blazed through the sanctuary. That led to the question of the day: were fireworks responsible? "That is something we are looking into at this point. I don't have a definite at this point," Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman told 24 Hour News 8. "The investigation has just started, but we are certainly looking into those leads." Many members of the congregation stood in disbelief and prayed Sunday morning at the rubble that was their church. "It takes your breath away. It's devastating," said parishioner Betty Schlikman. "It's our history." She said she and her husband were married at the church 41 years ago and her two children were baptized at the parish.