NEW YORK –– A convent and chapel in New York City were the site this weekend of a suspicious fire, which injured two nuns and four firefighters.

Sister M. William McGovern, provincial superior of the Daughters of Divine Charity community on Staten Island, said the fires were “a true tragedy.”

“The historic portion of our home — with our chapel, sacristy, archives and provincial offices — was destroyed and is now a crime scene,” Sister William said.

Early in the morning of Oct. 12, firefighters responded to fires at St. Joseph Hill Convent and Chapel. According to multiple local news sources, Sister Regina Gegic and another older sister were staying in the building when the fire started. Sister Regina was forced to leap from the second floor of the building to escape the flames.

Sister William said Sister Regina “is in intensive care at Staten Island University Hospital,” with injuries sustained from the fall. The other sister in the building at the time of the fire was not reported to have been harmed.

Other sisters in the order, including several visiting the United States for the 100th anniversary of the Daughters of Divine Charity’s presence in the United States, were staying in another building at the time and were not harmed.

The fire is being investigated by the New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

This is potentially the second attack on the St. Joseph Hill property in two months. In August, vandals caused $15,000 worth of damage to the property, including to its school just a week before the school year began.

Eight teenagers were caught on surveillance tapes breaking into the convent and school in the previous incident. Later in the same week, another three were charged with an attempted break-in, after smashing a window.

Following the fire, the sisters “ask for prayers, especially for our beloved Sister Regina,” and they are grateful for the support of the community and fire and law enforcement officials as repairs and investigation into the fire’s causes continue.

Sister William added that, in spite of the damage and recent fire, the sisters will “return our original home to a state of beauty — when we can.”

She said, “We will rebuild; we will restore our convent and our place of worship.”