By Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor
The parish office at St. Pius X Church, 3521 Goldsmith Lane, caught fire Tuesday night and will be closed until repairs are made. No one was injured in the blaze that started on the second floor of the building known as the Sarto House.
Father William Burks, pastor of St. Pius, said he, several members of the parish staff and parishioners were inside the church when smoke began pouring put of the office building roof April 23.
“We were at a parish mission when one of my music ministers came over and said, ‘Father, the Sarto House is on fire,’ ” Father Burks said during a phone interview on Wednesday. “If there was a blessing to it, it was that it happened while it was still light so people could see the smoke.”
The parish plans to set up temporary offices in the school building. Those who need to contact the parish office may call John Paul II Academy at 452-1712. He expects the parish phone lines to be set up in the new offices in the coming days, he said.
Thanks to the efforts of several groups, the parish records were saved from flame and water damage, Father Burks said. Among those who helped were the Louisville Fire Department, which was already at the scene when he arrived; Catholic Mutual Group, which insures the parish; Paul Davis Restoration; and parishioners who heard about the fire and came to the scene Tuesday night to offer help.
“They were great; they were just wonderful,” he said. “They helped us get stuff out that we needed to get out. They took programs for a funeral we had today, things for a wedding this weekend and my calender, too.”
Brad Harruff of the Catholic Mutual Group said he estimates the damages at around $250,000 to $300,000.
The parish plans to post updates on its website, www.piusx.com, and Facebook page.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
