Crossword Genius

Intense fire damaged church (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fierce

'intense' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'fire damaged church' is the wordplay.
'damaged' is an anagram indicator.
'church' becomes 'CE' (abbreviation for Church of England).
'fire' is an anagram of 'fier'.
'fier'+'ce'='FIERCE'

(Other definitions for fierce that I've seen before include "Vehement, furious" , "Aggressive; intense" , "Intensely aggressive" , "Violent in temper, not gentle" , "Violent in manner or action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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