LAMOURE - A fire that heavily damaged the Holy Rosary Catholic Church may have started in an electric organ.

The Rev. Jim Tuhy discovered the fire shortly after 8 a.m., Tuesday. No one was injured, but firefighters said the damage to the church was extensive. They say the blaze is believed to have started in an electric organ.

"It got so hot in there, the light fixtures were melting," said firefighter Ryan Stroh. "The ceiling fans were melting. The pews were smoldering. The paint was peeling off the walls."

The fire was extinguished in less than 20 minutes, said LaMoure Fire Chief Gary Klein.

The church, built in 1977, sits just north of Highway 13, which runs through the small community about 60 miles southeast of Jamestown.

"It was a beautiful church," Klein said.

The parish hall and house escaped damage, said Joanne Sandy, a member of the parish.

"It's not a good way to start the year," said Tuhy, "but as a parish, we are all in this together and we will get out of this together as a community of faith."

People appeared at the church as they learned of the fire, with offers of help to rebuild, Tuhy said.