Officials: Candles possible cause of NYC church fire
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The remains of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava are seen in New York, Monday, May 2, 2016. The historic church in New York City was destroyed in a raging fire Sunday just hours after its Orthodox worshippers celebrated Easter. Authorities reported one minor injury in the blaze. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)
Fire department officials say the cause of a blaze that destroyed a historic New York City church is under investigation but it could have been candles.
The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava (SAH'-vah) burned on Sunday, the same day Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Easter. Fire officials said Tuesday they are looking into whether caretakers at the church may have accidentally placed candles that had not been fully extinguished in a cardboard box after the Easter celebration.
They say the fire is not suspicious, but the investigation is ongoing.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The church was designed by architect Richard M. Upjohn and was built in the early 1850s. One of its earlier congregants was novelist Edith Wharton, who wrote "The Age of Innocence." She was married in the church in 1885.