Fire causes $1 million in damages to N.C. church

GREENVILLE, N.C. — One of North Carolina’s oldest Baptist church buildings suffered at least $1 million in damages from a blaze set by suspected arsonists Jan. 13. The Memorial Baptist Church, Greenville, N.C., founded in 1827, was one of two churches targeted in suspected arson attacks during the night. The other church, Unity Free Will Baptist, sustained about $40,000 in damages. At a third church, Oakmont Baptist, an apparent break-in was thwarted by an alarm. All three congregations are within a mile of each other.

The blaze at The Memorial claimed the church’s educational wing and day-care area and jumped a fire wall to engulf an older sanctuary, according to The Daily Reflector. The Memorial’s main sanctuary sustained major water damage as firefighters fought to contain the flames. The steeple was still standing but was charred and called unsafe by fire officials.