KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai » A Maui County Fire Department investigator inspected damage yesterday to a 73-year-old church that was gutted in a fire late Wednesday night.

The department did not release a damage estimate or cause of the fire at St. Sophia Church in Kaunakakai.

“;They did not come to a conclusion,”; said the Rev. Clyde Guerreiro, pastor of the Molokai Catholic Community. He said investigators looked at two electrical outlets in the area where the fire started and also noted that votive candles encased in glass were left burning in the church.

“;They did not rule out arson, either.”; The church was not locked, he said.

Molokai's three engine companies fought the blaze, which was reported at 10:40 p.m. and under control by 11:15 p.m.

Guerreiro said the 1937 wooden structure was slated for demolition later this year, and “;I expect the insurance company will tell us to demolish it immediately for safety's sake.”;

He said the parish administrative building 12 feet from the church was not burned, and “;the sacristy was not touched, so Mass vestments and liturgical books and chalices are intact.”; The fire did destroy a new sign that renamed the site as St. Damien parish, unveiled Oct. 11 when Father Damien De Veuster was declared a saint for his service to leprosy victims.

The pastor said design plans are before the Maui County Planning Commission for a new structure to be built at the same site. The $3 million parish center will include worship space for 400 people, classrooms and conference rooms.

The Calvary Baptist Church and the Episcopal congregation offered use of their premises for Catholic services. Guerreiro said the parish will probably accept a third offer from a nonprofit health center at the former Pau Hana Inn. Weekend Masses are also held at St. Vincent Church in Maunaloa and Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Kaluaaha.

“;It is not the end of the world,”; said the pastor. “;The sadness comes from the many significant events that occurred in the church, marriages, baptisms, burials. People are mourning that loss, but they are saying this may speed up the process of building a new church.”;