Classes Resume Today at St. John the Baptist

It's back to school today for students and staff at St. John the Baptist School in Alden.

Seventy-five firefighters from more than 20 companies converged on the Village Monday afternoon, after authorities said a brush fire in a nearby yard spread to five buildings.

More than 100 students were evacuated from the school, which suffered heat and smoke damage. The parish's retreat center was destroyed by flames.

"Once you get a fire like that with the wind, it blows the heat, smoke, (and) embers flying around," said Alden Fire Chief Rick Greis.

Authorities said no one was injured.

Ironically, the students had just finished a fire drill when the real fire broke out, according to St. John's Principal Marilynn Camp.

"Some of the primary children went out to the playground and they saw smoke," Camp said.

Greis said a neighbor was apparently burning brush in his yard, when embers caught his barn on fire. It was destroyed. The fire also damaged his home. Embers then blew past the school to the parish retreat center, known as The Rock, igniting and destroying that building. No one was inside the retreat center at the time, according to firefighters. Caught in the middle, St. John's School suffered heat and smoke damage. More embers blew across the street and burned a second barn to the ground.

As of Monday evening, authorities did not have a damage estimate.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office Fire Investigation Unit is looking into the fire, and said potential charges will be discussed with the District Attorney and the parish.

The homeowner where the fire apparently started declined to comment.

Meanwhile, firefighters carried statues and other church icons out of The Rock, known for parish retreats, meetings, and children's programs.

"I'm going to save it for the rest of my life," said 5th grader Laura Bukowski, holding a singed cup.

Father Jim Ciupek of St. John's Parish said losing the retreat center is a real loss for the parish, but tried to remain encouraging.

"You gotta remember that God's grace continues to work through all of this and as I always say, good is going to come out of all of this," he said.