A weekend retreat for eighth-graders is still on, despite a Tuesday fire that destroyed a barn used by a Roman Catholic group for retreats and camps in northwest Douglas County.
The fire was reported about 2:30 p.m. at an 18,000-square-foot activity barn, said Teresa Monaghen, director of Pro Sanctity, the group that owns the property.
The fire was under control shortly after 4 p.m.
Several area fire departments responded to the three-alarm blaze, whose billowing smoke could be seen from miles away.
The barn was part of the Pro Sanctity Center on North 204th Street, about four miles north of the Elkhorn area.
Monaghen said Wednesday that the State Fire Marshal's Office told her the cause was undetermined but that foul play was not suspected. The dollar amount of the loss also is not yet known, she said.
She said the group plans on hosting the weekend eighth-grade retreat and has been told it can use the Elden F. Curtiss Youth Camp of the Archdiocese of Omaha near 245th and Q Streets. Monaghen wasn't sure yet what the group would do for a coming family fall festival but said hosting that in another church's basement was a possibility.
Monaghen said the barn was leveled except for some iron support beams. She said no one was inside at the time.
A worker had baked some banana bread inside earlier in the day but had turned everything off before leaving, Monaghen said.
She said smoke was first seen coming out of an area where children play volleyball. That area was opposite the barn's kitchen.
Artist Michael Montag also had a studio in the barn, she said. His equipment, along with sports equipment and three commercial mowers, were destroyed in the fast-moving fire, Monaghen said.
“We are just grateful it wasn't a camp day or a retreat day, so praise God for that,” she said. “It's tough, but I'm sure our generous friends, family and neighbors will help.”
The barn was part of the former Alpha and Omega horse-training center before it was bought by Pro Sanctity in 1991. The barn was used to train horses before being renovated.
World-Herald photographer Chris Machian contributed to this report.
Contact the writer:
444-1279, jason.kuiper@owh.com
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