Easter Fire Destroys Old Wooden Church In Ukraine
April 22, 2009
LVIV, Ukraine -- A unique wooden church built in 1781 in the western Ukrainian village of Uholna burned to the ground on April 19, Orthodox Easter, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.
The fire began after the parishioners left St. Panteleimon Church, where Easter Mass had just been held.
A preliminary investigation suggests that the fire was caused by the old electrical system in the church.
Local officials told RFE/RL that in the last five years 29 wooden churches have been damaged by fire in the region.
There are currently 489 wooden churches in western Ukraine that were built in the 18th century or earlier.