Fire Destroys Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava in New York City

A historic 160-year-old church in Manhattan was destroyed just hours after worshipers celebrated Orthodox Easter.

FDNY firefighters responded about 5:00 p.m. Sunday to a fire at Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava at 24 West 25th Street near 25th Street and Broadway. The fire department response was immediately a 2nd Alarm, elevated to a 3rd Alarm at 5:50 p.m. and a 4th Alarm at about 5:47 p.m.

Witness said the fire, which started after the completion of an Orthodox Easter service, spread quickly.

A building caretaker attempted to rush inside to extinguish the fire, but had to exit the building because of the flames. He suffered from minor smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported and nobody was was reported missing.

A church in the Flatiron District was on fire at around 7pm on May 1st 2016. I happened to be walking in the area, when I noticed a group of people gazing at the sky, in the direction of a passing fire truck. Once I turned the corner, I saw what they were looking at.

Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St Sava NYC fire.

Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St Sava NYC fire.

New York City Firefighter’s tackling a 4 alarm fire at the Serbian Orthodox Church of St Sava on 26th/25th Street between 6th avenue and Broadway.