Firefighters responded to the historic St. Francis de Sales Seminary after a fire started on the front porch of the main building on the campus, called Henni Hall.
A fire started about 9 a.m. Aug. 19 during construction on the porch, said Fr. Luke Strand, seminary rector. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
A St. Francis Fire Department official told reporters at the scene that there was damage to the exterior of the building, which he characterized as “extensive” because the building is so old. He said the extent of the smoke and water damage would have to be determined, and he did not know how long the crews would be on site.
Video from the scene showed crews outside the first-floor entryway as well as the second-floor balcony.
A deputy Milwaukee Fire Department chief said crews also responded to the scene. The fire was extinguished by about 10:40 a.m., according to an Archdiocese of Milwaukee spokeswoman.
Henni Hall was built in 1856. The campus in St. Francis has been undergoing a $65 million renovation since 2025 that was set to include structural work on the roof and dome, as well as renovating the interior chapel and adding classrooms.
The campus has been closed to the public, according to the seminary’s website. Seminarians have been living at a nearby building, according to the Catholic Herald.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fire extinguished at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, exterior damaged
Reporting by Sophie Carson and David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Sophie Carson and David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
