Cause still sought for fire that destroyed East Side church

By Joe Gorman

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Fire investigators are still not sure what caused a fire that destroyed an East Side home and the church next door to it earlier this month.

Fire Investigator Capt. Alvin Ware said the cause of the fire that destroyed a Shehy Avenue home and Grace Temple Evangelistic Ministries may never be found because of the extent of the fire.

The blaze started in the home, whose occupant was in a nursing home, and spread to the church, which was also destroyed.

Both buildings were completely destroyed. Ware said because the damage was so great there are not many clues for investigators to find.

“There’s nothing to work with there,” Ware said.

However, Ware said the church’s insurance company is investigating, and Ware’s investigation is not yet finished. Ware said it is not out of the ordinary for a fire scene to be of such total devastation that investigators can not find a cause.

The fire at the home spread to the roof of the church. Firefighters were called out at 3 a.m. to battle the blaze and were inside the church trying to fight the fire when the flames spread very quickly to the roof and crews had to get out.

Less than 10 minutes later the roof collapsed.

Since the fire the church has held services under a tent in a vacant lot across the street.