Bomb & Arson, ATF investigate Gibson Co. church fire
[gtxvideo vid=”BsSETieq” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/BsSETieq.jpg” vtitle=”Church Fire Update PKG”]
GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — State Bomb and Arson investigators worked Wednesday to determine what sparked a fire that destroyed a Gibson County church. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said right now it appears to be an isolated incident. Crews tore down what was left of a wall at Fruitland Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, just hours after fire destroyed the building. “Well, it’s just sad,” Elaine Dooley, a former church member, said. “It‘s just like losing a family member.” Dooley grew up in the church and said her daughter got married there. “I have the fondest memories of the Sunday school classes, the Sunday school teachers,” she said. “That’s where I got saved. I got baptized.” The Tennessee State Fire Marshal‘s Office along with the ATF are trying to determine what sparked Tuesday night‘s fire. Agents said they took pictures and samples from the scene and plan to canvass the neighborhood. “We want to be sure, 100 percent sure, that this was an accidental fire, not on purpose,” Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey said. Cathey said he believes the fire probably started on or near the roof and that lightning may be to blame. “The neighbor said that there was lightning strikes in the area,” he said. “A couple of them rocked the ground about 30 minutes before we were paged.” We‘re told the church was built in the 1800s. “I just wanted to come back and just see it, make pictures and just see it one more time before they tear it all down,” Dooley said. Cathey said the church did not have many members and that he is not sure if they plan to rebuild. Firefighters said no one was hurt. If you have information about the fire, call the Gibson County Sheriff‘s Office at 731-855-1121.
