Dec. 05--The damage from an early Tuesday morning blaze at the Lazarus Church in Lineboro has been deemed so excessive that a cause for the fire cannot be determined, according to a news release Thursday from the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
Fire officials said the fire started in the attic space above the sanctuary. Further examination has concluded that $4 million in damage was done to the structure and its contents.
The church, built in 1908, housed the congregations of the Lazarus United Church of Christ and Lazarus Lutheran Church, which were formed in 1853.
A two-alarm fire at Lazarus was discovered by neighbors at 4:11 a.m. Tuesday. Nearly 60 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore counties, as well as York County, Pa., responded and had the blaze under control in two hours.
No injuries were reported.
On its Facebook page Thursday, Lazarus Church announced that beginning Sunday worship services will be held at the Lineboro Fire Hall.
The investigation was jointly handled by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.
Copyright 2013 - Carroll Eagle, Westminster, Md.
