One moment, Father Jimmy Drennan was heading out to get ready for an evening vigil. Minutes later, the rectory where he lives at St. Margaret Mary Church on San Antonio's Southeast Side was a total loss.
The Archdiocese says an apparent explosion on Saturday afternoon destroyed the rectory, leaving the building completely gutted but, remarkably, causing no injuries. Drennan had just stepped out to prepare for an evening service and returned to find the residence fully engulfed. He is unharmed and has publicly thanked first responders for their quick work.
Archdiocese Posts Account of Blast and Damage
In a Facebook post, the Archdiocese reported that a blast around 4 p.m. triggered what it described as a four-alarm fire that consumed the rectory and caused “significant” damage. Insurance will assess the loss while investigators work to determine what happened, according to News 4 San Antonio.
The Archdiocese also noted that Drennan had left the home only minutes before the incident to prepare for a 6 p.m. vigil and that he is still scheduled to celebrate Sunday Masses the following day.
Fire Department Gives a Different Account
The San Antonio Fire Department offered a more restrained version of events. Officials told News 4 San Antonio that crews responded to reports of a smaller blaze and that there was “nothing in our notes about an explosion and certainly not a four-alarm fire.”
The differing descriptions, with the Archdiocese characterizing an explosion and four-alarm blaze and the fire department describing a more limited response, leave investigators sorting out the exact timeline and circumstances as they continue examining the site.
Damage Assessment and Next Steps for the Parish
Officials say no neighbors were hurt. Insurance will evaluate the damage while investigators keep working the case. The parish campus at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church remains active, and Father Drennan has expressed gratitude to police, fire and EMS for their response.
