SURRY COUNTY, N.C. --
Fire investigators from Surry County and the State Bureau of Investigation are trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed an historic church.
Firefighters from as many as nine separate agencies were called to the Shoals United Methodist Church, at 4245 Shoals Road, before 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
When they arrived, they found the more than 100 year old building engulfed in flames.
According to the chief of the Shoals Fire Department, firefighters were forced into a defensive position.
Firefighters battled the flames for more than two hours, but say the building was a total loss.
The church had just begun renovations to the sanctuary, and were planning an expansion.
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