Investigators: Maine Church Set on Fire

The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire at a Gardiner church was deliberately set, but damage was minimal and services went on as usual.

Investigator Kenneth MacMaster told the Kennebec Journal in Augusta that fires were started at the front and rear of the Gardiner United Methodist Church early Sunday. Thanks to quick work by Gardiner firefighters to exhaust smoke from the church, Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. services went on as scheduled.

Church board of trustees Chairman Rusty Greenleaf said the fire was reported by the janitor, who arrived at 5:30 a.m. to begin cleaning the church.

Vinyl siding, insulation and plywood were damaged.
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Information from: Kennebec Journal