Electrical issues cited in fires that gut three churches over the past two months

Fires have gutted three churches in Canada within the past two months, each of the fires the result of electrical issues, Ecclesiastical Insurance has reported.
The churches were located in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Stoney Creek, Ontario and on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula.
Electrical issues are among the leading causes of fire in North America. Older churches, whether they were built using a wood frame or as masonry buildings with wood-joisted roofs, are particularly vulnerable, an Ecclesiastical release says.
“Faulty wiring, overloaded electrical circuit and improperly grounded equipment are among the hazards that pose significant threats,” said Colin Robertson, Ecclesiastical Insurance’s vice president of risk control.
“Unless they are updated and regularly maintained, electrical installations in older churches can’t handle today’s increased demands.”
Robertson urges faith organizations to engage the services of licensed electrical contractors and to conduct regularly scheduled inspections.