June 15--Alert neighbors saved an Elm City church after someone set fire to a pair of wreaths on the building's double doors Thursday night.
Firefighters rushed to Christ Independent Baptist Church at 508 W. Nash St. after neighbors across the street reported that flames were visible on the church doors at 11:41 p.m.
A volunteer firefighter who lives nearby doused the blaze with water before it could spread, according to Chief Lin Jones of the Toisnot Rural Fire Department.
"The lady across the street came home from a friend's house and saw the wreaths on fire and told her husband to get some water," Jones said. "If she hadn't seen it, it probably would have been a lot worse."
Wilson County sheriff's deputies are investigating the fire. No arrests had been made Friday afternoon.
"We've turned it over to the sheriff's office for them to investigate since it was of a suspicious nature," Jones said.
The church did not have electricity when the fire started, he said. A severe thunderstorm packing powerful straight-line winds knocked out power across Wilson County on Thursday evening. Christ Independent Baptist is in an area of Elm City where electric service hadn't yet been restored.
Jones estimated the damage to the church's front doors and siding at roughly $1,000.
Wilson County Emergency Management joined Toisnot volunteer firefighters at the church.
Anyone with information on the suspicious fire can call the Wilson County Sheriff's Office at 237-2118 or Crime Stoppers at 243-2255.
Copyright 2013 - The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.
