Priest injured in early morning fire at church rectory

TOWNSEND, Mass. (AP) - A priest was taken to the hosptal with burns suffered in a fire at a church rectory in Massachusetts early Monday morning.

The fire at St. John the Evangelist Catholic church rectory in Townsend was reported at about 2 a.m.

The priest was inside the three-story building and heard the smoke detectors going off on the first floor, Fire Chief Mark Boynton said.

He used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames and suffered burns to his hands, the chief said. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.

St. John Deacon Charles Kelley said the Rev. Jeremy St. Martin was injured and was back on the scene hours later assisting fire investigators, according to The Telegram & Gazette.

“We’re grateful he’s doing well,” Kelley said. “It’s easier to replace a rectory than to replace a pastor.”

Crews from nearby Fitchburg, Pepperell and Ashby responded to the multi-alarm blaze.

The cause remains under investigation, but Boynton said the fire appears to have started on the first floor.