An electrical failure could have been the cause behind the flames that engulfed the Catholic Church San Rafael Arcángel, in Copey de Dota.
The Costa Rican Fire Department reported that the greatest damage in the building was observed towards the east.
As an additional information, a search of valuables allowed to confirm that everything contained in the building was found, including three bells.
Courtesy
Now, it is up to the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) to continue with the investigation.
The Ministry of Culture and Youth, through the Heritage Center, went to the site on Sunday to provide support to the villagers.
The church, built in 1926, was declared the country’s architectural heritage in 1999 by executive decree.
Costa Rica has 386 architectural heritage sites.
It is important to systematically carry out the forecasts of what maintenance entails, the basic updating of standards for the assessment and sustainable and responsible use of these properties, which is also a matter of safety for the population,”
said Sylvie Durán, Minister of Culture and Youth.
The most recent change in the church occurred in 2016, when all windows were replaced.