Clare fire: 'If the steeple had fallen on the church, everything would have been gone'

The timber spire of St Mary's Church in Ruan was hit by lightning and caught fire in the early hours of Sunday morning. Picture: Press 22

The parish priest of a Co Clare church that caught fire after being struck by lightning on Sunday said the community is "very, very lucky" the fire did not spread.

The timber spire of St Mary's Church in Ruan was hit by lightning and caught fire shortly before 3.45am on Sunday.