Morning fire causes $100,000 in damage to central Toledo church

1/4/2014

For the second time in less than 24 hours, the Toledo Fire Department was called to a church fire.

The 7:37 a.m. call reported a fire at 2013 Lawrence Ave, which Lucas County records say is owned by Richard's Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ. Battalion Fire Chief Jerry Takats said firefighters found heavy smoke emanating from the church's steeple and an active fire in the center part of the church's ceiling that ran the length of the building.

RELATED: Flames destroy 111-year-old church

The fire was put out, but not before an estimated $100,000 in fire and water damage occurred. One truck is still on standby at the scene while the investigation into the cause of the blaze continues. An arson investigator and a representative of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are also on the scene.

The building was formerly the Braden United Methodist Church, which moved in 2009 to a new location at 4725 Dorr St.

Chief Takats said the department is working to determine if this morning's fire is related in any way to the fire Friday afternoon that completely destroyed the 111-year-old St. Mark Baptist Church at 1419 N. Detroit Ave. The investigation into the cause of that fire also continues.

A contact person for the church could not be reached earlier today.