Fire Does $1M Damage to Pennsylvania Church

June 17, 2008

Fire officials in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania say a blaze did an estimated $1 million damage to a church in Caernarvon Township early Sunday.

Flames were shooting from the roof of the south wing of Conestoga Mennonite Church when firefighters arrived shortly after midnight. Officials say the partially collapsed roof hampered efforts to fight the flames in the church, which is near the Berks County line.

Deputy Chief Dwayne Martin of Churchtown Fire Department says the blaze was brought under control in about 11/2 hours. Damage was estimated at $750,000 to the building and $250,000 to its contents.

Martin says the cause of the fire is unclear, although a fire marshal ruled it accidental.

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Information from: Intelligencer Journal