AP: Fast-moving fire destroys southern N.J. church
A fast-moving, multi-alarm fire has destroyed a southern New Jersey church, but no injuries were reported.
It’s not yet clear what sparked Saturday’s fire at the In His Presence Worship Center in Millville, but authorities say it’s not considered suspicious. Sparks from the blaze also apparently struck a nearby electric power line, which caused a brief power outage that affected about 2,000 utility customers.
Roughly 15 people were inside the church when the three-alarm blaze broke out around 12:30 p.m. But they were all able to safely escape after a church member noticed smoke.
Investigators say the blaze quickly engulfed the roof and the church’s steeple soon collapsed. All the stain glass windows were also destroyed.
It took nearly three hours for firefighters to get the blaze under control.
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