A fire destroyed at least part of a church on Columbus' Far West Side Aug. 10.
Firefighters responded to a fire at the Cherry Creek Church of Christ on 4977 Sullivant Ave. just before 4 a.m., Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Brian Barnhart said.
Barnhart said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it's possible a lightning strike started it around midnight. The fire smoldered for hours, and was discovered when the flames broke through the roof, Barnhart said. By that point, the chapel was fully engulfed, he said.
Firefighters were able to save the business section at the back of the church, though it suffered damage from smoke and water, Barnhart said.
Firefighters contained the fire within about an hour. Barnart said a crew will remain
at the church to put out any new flames that pop up.
No injuries were reported.
At least 50 firefighters responded to the fire, along with five engines and three ladder trucks, Barnhart said.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fire heavily damages Columbus church, lightning strike suspected
