Arson hits Houston church twice in 3 years
___HOUSTON--Bethel Baptist Church in Houston is working to overcome its second case of arson in three years.
___A piano in a Sunday School room was set fire, and flames quickly spread through air conditioning ducts to other rooms and another building, Associate Pastor David Barrett said.
___Police suspect the same man set both fires. In both instances the man went to the fire station after the fire crews responded to the fire alarm. This time he was apprehended as he burglarized the fire station. Enough evidence has not been found to connect him to the arsons, but police feel sure they have the responsible party, Barrett said.
___Official damage estimates are not yet available, but the figure is expected to be close to $200,000. The fire damaged the adult building to the extent that only the outside walls remain. The interior will have to be gutted and completely rebuilt. The fire burned so hot that several steel beams will have to be replaced. Another building was severely smoke-damaged, and much of the ceiling tile, carpet and sheet rock will have to be replaced in it as well.
___The fire also damaged the church's clothes closet and food pantry, causing those ministries to be closed for now.
___The church is well-insured, Barrett said.
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook