Athens —
An early morning fire Monday destroyed a Limestone County church.
Cherry Grove Baptist Church, located at the corner of Cherry Grove Road and Thacker Street in western Limestone County, caught fire at approximately 4:44 a.m., according to officials. Goodsprings, Pleasant Grove and Owens volunteer fire departments responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
Pastor Chris Pirtle said the church is thankful for the local departments and community who have already reached out to help. The church, which was established in 1902, has about 50 members and is covered under “some insurance,” Pirtle said.
Agents with the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and the Alabama Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the cause of the blaze. Deputy State Fire Marshall Jimmy Collier told The News Courier they investigate anytime there is a church fire. “Something in the building got to a combustible temperature and fired off,” he said.
To contact Pirtle or members of the congregation, send email to cherrygrovepreaching@gmail.com or pose2120@yahoo.com.
We will have a full story in Tuesday’s edition of the The News Courier.
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