Fires damage Latter-day Saint meetinghouses in New Zealand and New Caledonia | Portrait of Jesus …

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Fires damage Latter-day Saint meetinghouses in New Zealand and New Caledonia

TE HAUKE, New Zealand — Two meetinghouses of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand and New Caledonia sustained damages after fires broke out in both buildings on Sunday.

Church officials said a fire sparked at a chapel in the town of Te Hauke, in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, early Sunday morning.

Firefighters were able to knock the fire down, and no one was injured — but it left the meetinghouse with significant damages, according to the release.

"Local congregation leaders and members are devastated that their meetinghouse has been damaged but are making alternative arrangements for worship services," the release reads.

Portrait of Jesus survives fire that destroyed Hawke's Bay chapel

A fire that completely destroyed a chapel in Hawke’s Bay left a portrait of Jesus untouched.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Te Hauke, about 21km southwest of the city of Hastings, at 6.35am on Sunday.

A Fire and
Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews were able to contain the fire to the chapel area of the church, but it was destroyed.

The administration wing was only impacted by smoke damage, the spokeswoman said.

The fire was extinguished by 8.10am by crews from Hastings, Waipawa, Tamatea, Tikokino, Napier and Ōtāne and firefighters remained at the scene for about five hours to monitor and dampen hotspots.

Fires Damage Church Meetinghouses in New Zealand and New Caledonia

A fire in the early hours of Sunday morning 12 October 2025 significantly damaged a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Te Hauke, near Hastings, in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. Fire fighters controlled the blaze, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Local congregation leaders and members are devastated that their meetinghouse has been damaged but are making alternative arrangements for worship services.

Later that day, on Sunday evening, another fire at a Church meetinghouse, in Mont-Dore, New Caledonia, left significant damage. There were no reported injuries. Local Church leaders are supporting investigations by authorities as well as providing love and support to members of the Church in New Caledonia.

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