PHOENIX — A large fire which burned overnight Wednesday destroyed the St. Joseph Catholic Church in north Phoenix.
Phoenix police said Wednesday afternoon that cause of the fire was under investigation. Earlier in the day, fire officials had said the cause was likely electrical.
Previously, Phoenix police said Phoenix Fire Department Arson Investigators were handling the case, but later clarified it was the Phoenix Fire Investigations Unit investigating.
Another church and a school were vandalized overnight, according to Phoenix police, but investigators had not determined if the incidents were connected. A Presbyterian Church a block away was broken into and badly vandalized, police said, and a school was vandalized in what appeared to be an attempted burglary.
Fire crews were called to St. Joseph near 40th Street and Shea Boulevard around midnight when a Phoenix police helicopter spotted smoke in the area, fire officials said. More than 60 firefighters from Phoenix and Scottsdale worked overnight to put out the flames.
The fire at the church was already burning through much of the building when fire crews arrived, officials said. The fire then spread through the attic and into the roof. Sky 12 was over the scene Wednesday morning as fire crews continued to spray hotspots.
According to fire officials, no firefighters were injured.
Officials said federal fire investigators will be required to investigate a hate crime because the fire burned a church. But officials also said at this time arson is not suspected. According to officials, it appears to be an electrical fire sparked after renovations to the altar at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
PHOTOS: Fire destroys St. Joseph Catholic Church in north Phoenix
Team 12's Rachel Cole was reporting from the 50-year-old church early Wednesday morning and said it was clearly a "total loss."
Rising smoke was still visible Wednesday morning as the sun shined on what was left of the burned-out church. Parishioners at the scene said they were devastated by the fire.
The Diocese of Phoenix released a statement Wednesday thanking firefighters for their efforts:
"This morning we awoke to the tragic news of the fire at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Phoenix. The Phoenix Fire Department is investigating the fire. The church building was destroyed and there were no injuries. We will have more to share as it becomes available.
We are heartbroken for the St. Joseph Catholic community and we are grateful for the bravery of the fire fighters and first responders.
There are tentative plans to celebrate Masses somewhere on the church property this weekend.
Today on this feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, we ask the community to join us in prayer."