Candles Scorch Area Near Virgin Mary Statue

Our Lady Guadalupe Church in Barrio Logan saw an increased number of candles on Ash Wednesday

An unusually high number of candles burning on Ash Wednesday almost led to the scorching of one Virgin Mary statue in Barrio Logan.

Police responded to a fire at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on 1770 Kearny Ave. at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

When they arrived, the glass and wood in front of the statue was scorched from the candles at the statue's feet.

Police initially believed the statue was vandalized, however investigators later ruled the fire accidental.

The fire appears to have been caused by candle flames, they said.

Yesterday's Ash Wednesday observance brought in an increased number of candles to the statue, said the church's Father Richard Brown.

No one was injured the fire, and the brass statue was unharmed.

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