School cancels classes following fire at adjacent church

BENWOOD, W.Va. (AP) - The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has cancelled classes at a school in Benwood following a fire at an adjacent church.

Monsignor Frederick Annie tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register (https://bit.ly/1C6EZ69 ) that the property isn’t safe.

SS James and John School will be closed until at least April 13. Annie says it will take time to develop plans for the future.

Monday’s fire destroyed the top portion of St. John Catholic Church, along with a large crucifix behind the main altar and a statue of St. Joseph. The altar wasn’t damaged. The school property sustained smoke and water damage.

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Information from: The Intelligencer, https://www.theintelligencer.net