St Mary’s priest recounts waking to his Avondale church ablaze in West Auckland

Father Andrew Matthew, a Catholic priest in Avondale, Auckland, was awakened at 2am by the sound of exploding windows, initially mistaking it for construction work. Upon looking outside, he was shocked to see St Mary’s Church engulfed in flames, marking a devastating moment for the community.

Explain It To Me Like I’m 5: Father Andrew Matthew woke up to the sound of windows breaking and saw St Mary’s Church on fire, which shocked him.

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