Lightning strikes UOC church in Odesa region for second time in one week

A church destroyed by fire. Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service

On August 29, lightning struck the Holy Protection Church in the village of Pryamobalka, Bolhrad district, causing it to catch fire. It was the second church in Ukraine's Odesa region to be struck by lightning within a week. On August 27, a lightning strike also sparked a fire at a church in the Holy Iveron Monastery in Odesa.

According to the regional department of the State Emergency Service, firefighters quickly brought the blaze at the Holy Protection Church under control after it spread across an area of 250 square meters. No one was killed or injured.

Three fire engines and 10 firefighters from the State Emergency Service, along with two vehicles and six rescuers from local volunteer fire brigades, responded to the scene. Despite their efforts, the church was completely destroyed by the fire.

The Odesa Eparchy expressed its condolences to the parish community of the Holy Protection Church in Pryamobalka over the tragedy.

As the UOJ reported, lightning struck the dome of a church at the Holy Iveron Monastery, but firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze before it could spread.

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