A lightning bolt struck the steeple of the historic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo today, tearing through shingles and sparking a fire.
People were inside the church at about 5 p.m. when the bolt struck, but no one was injured, said Woody Percival, Pueblo Fire Department spokesman.
“Shingles were splayed out, and we had active flames coming 3 or 4 feet out when we arrived,” Percival said.
Firefighters raised aerial towers that automatically sprayed the fire, and it was quickly extinguished, he said. Crews are dousing any flames or hot spots remaining.
“I think we made a pretty good attack on this, but now we are worrying about the integrity of the steeple. We don’t want it toppling off the building.”
The church cornerstone was laid on May 12, 1912, and in 1941, Sacred Heart was elevated to the status of a cathedral with the establishment of the Diocese of Pueblo, according to the church website.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
