BLOWING ROCK, N.C.
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The Blue Ridge Community Christian Church, built in the early 1900s, caught fire Sunday moring from a malfunctioning heater.
The heater, that was left on by a church member, caused the wooden floor to catch fire and damage approximately 60 percent of the building before firefighters were able to gain control of the fire.
Blowing Rocks fire department, had just built a new volunteer fire station a half mile away from the church, to help reduce response time in the area. Firefighters were on hand for its grand opening Sunday, prepping for the open house, when the call came in.
They were on scene in a matter of minutes, arriving to find the church engulfed in heavy smoke.
Approximately 30 to 40 firefighters from both the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department and Boone Fire Department assisted in putting out the fire.
Damage to the church was estimated at $175,000.
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