INDIANAPOLIS
--
Crews responded to the scene of the collapse of a church roof on Indianapolis' east side early Tuesday afternoon.
The incident happened after noon at the Greater New Jerusalem Temple of Truth in the 2600 block of East New York Street.
A small group of people was inside the church at the time of the collapse but all escaped safely.
"You could just hear it. It kind of of just started and it was like, crack, crack, crack," said Marilyn Browie. "All of a sudden, it just fell in, boom."
Bishop Herman Davis told fire investigators that the church told its insurance company in October 2010 that the roof was in need of repair.
"While discussions between the church and the insurance company continued, with no results, the church operated business as usual," said Indianapolis fire Capt. Rita Burris. "Last week, however, parishioners told firefighters that the roof started to crumble into the interior of the building."
A contractor had begun the process of repairing the roof when he heard creaking noises from one of the walls, Burris said.
Damage to the church was estimated at $500,000, and it will likely be demolished.
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