A fire broke out Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, causing significant damage to the front porch of Henni Hall.
The fire began during construction work on the porch and was extinguished. No injuries were reported, according to the seminary.
Sandra Peterson, executive director of communication for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, said Wednesday morning that “there appears to be significant damage to the porch.”
Fire crews responded to the South Lake Drive campus around 9 a.m. According to WISN 12 News, the St. Francis fire chief said the fire did not extend into the building, though crews remained on scene to extinguish hot spots and assess possible smoke and water damage.
Fire departments from St. Francis, Milwaukee, Cudahy and South Milwaukee responded. Contractors were working at the site when the fire began, and fire officials were interviewing workers as part of their investigation, WISN reported.
The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Wednesday afternoon.
Henni Hall is undergoing a major renovation that includes restoration of the historic building, dome, windows, structural elements and Christ King Chapel. Seminarians and faculty have been temporarily based at the nearby Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center during construction.
The Catholic Herald will update this story as more information becomes available.
