Man arrested for setting fire to Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol

A 21-year-old was charged with breaking into and setting fire to Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol just after midnight Saturday.Trevor DeFrancesco, 21, was being held at the Franklin County House of Correction on $20,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday morning, officials said. The fire inside the church on School Street in Athol started in the basement, investigators said. Investigators determined the fire began at multiple points of origin inside the church basement and concluded that the fires were intentionally set. Fire damage was described as moderate by investigators and firefighters were able to control it with fire extinguishers. There was smoke and water damage to the building. Officials said a water pipe appeared to have been compromised and helped to control the fire. DeFrancesco was charged with burning a building and breaking and entering in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony.

A 21-year-old was charged with breaking into and setting fire to Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol just after midnight Saturday.



Trevor DeFrancesco, 21, was being held at the Franklin County House of Correction on $20,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday morning, officials said.


The fire inside the church on School Street in Athol started in the basement, investigators said.

Investigators determined the fire began at multiple points of origin inside the church basement and concluded that the fires were intentionally set.

Fire damage was described as moderate by investigators and firefighters were able to control it with fire extinguishers. There was smoke and water damage to the building. Officials said a water pipe appeared to have been compromised and helped to control the fire.

DeFrancesco was charged with burning a building and breaking and entering in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony.