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Sept. 28--CHESAPEAKE -- Firefighters are looking into the cause of a two-alarm blaze that damaged Tidewater Baptist Temple on Campostella Road this morning.
Firefighters were called to the church at 2:23 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the sanctuary when they arrived, said Capt. Mike Thibeault, Fire Department spokesman. The incident commander called for additional personnel and a second alarm was declared.
The fire was under control at 3:14 a.m. and declared out by 3:58 a.m.
The cause is under investigation. The roof was burned away from the sanctuary area, and the offices also had extensive damage, Thibeault said. There was heavy smoke damage through the building.
At first, firefighters did not believe anyone was inside at the time of the fire, but later learned a missionary family from Italy had been staying inside. The man, woman and two children were unharmed.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, Thibeault said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also was notified about the blaze, which Thibeault said is routine with all church fires.
Firefighters also were called to a blaze at a trailer in the 2700 block of Ike St. Tuesday night.
No injuries were reported in that fire. Thibeault said he believed that fire was reported around 8 p.m.
The cause was determined to be unattended cooking. The trailer had moderate damage to the kitchen.
The American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia went to the scene and provided food and lodging help to two families affected by that blaze, according to an email from a spokesman.
