Fire at Our Lady of Victory Church in Fergus Falls Causes Significant Damage

A fire at Our Lady of Victory Church in Fergus Falls on Tuesday morning caused extensive damage to the church office, forced the evacuation of the attached school, and resulted in a minor injury to a firefighter.
The Fergus Falls Fire Department responded to the scene at 9:04 a.m. after fire alarms activated throughout the building. Students and staff from the connected school were promptly evacuated and relocated to Kennedy Secondary School with assistance from the Fergus Falls Police Department and Ottertail Minn-Dakota Coaches. Parents and guardians were later reunited with the children at the secondary school.
Fire Chief Ryan Muchow reported encountering heavy smoke emanating from the office area and the roof upon arrival. Crews deployed hoses to the main level and basement to combat the fire, which had spread to the generator exhaust venting system. The fire breached the venting enclosure, intensifying suppression efforts. Firefighters had to remove wall and ceiling materials, as well as sections of the roof, to fully extinguish the flames.
One firefighter sustained a laceration from falling debris but was treated onsite and remained on duty.
The fire caused extensive structural damage to the office area, with additional smoke damage in the sanctuary. Thanks to fire doors between the church and school, smoke damage to the school was minimal. Damage estimates are currently over $500,000.
Investigators believe the fire started in the generator exhaust venting enclosure, but the cause remains under investigation with assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Fergus Falls Fire Department, and the church’s insurance representatives.
Firefighters worked for nearly four hours in subzero temperatures, taking extra precautions to protect church furnishings and equipment. Crews collaborated with church staff to preserve critical documents and to assist in planning post-fire operations.
Father Lucho Palomino expressed his gratitude in a Facebook post: “We give thanks to Christ that all students and staff were evacuated safely and unharmed. Blessings to the Fire Department, law enforcement, volunteers, and all who assisted and will continue to assist with this event.”
Assisting agencies included the Fergus Falls Police, Public Works, and Engineering Departments; the Elizabeth, Underwood, and Foxhome Fire Departments; Ringdahl EMS; Salvation Army; Ottertail Power Company; Great Plains Natural Gas; and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Chief Muchow commended the collaborative efforts of all responders in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of students, staff, and firefighters.