Investigators Say Church Fire Intentionally Set

SAVANNAH, GA (October 15, 2009) – Savannah Fire and Emergency Services investigators now say a fire at a West side church was intentionally set.  An arson dog brought in by the state to assist in the probe determined an accelerant had been used at the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church on Fell Street.  Firefighters were called out to the church close to 3:30 Thursday morning and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the building.  Smoke from the intense fire blanketed much of the surrounding neighborhood and created near zero visibility conditions inside the church sanctuary, where investigators believe the fire originated. Damage inside the church is extensive not only from the fire itself, but from smoke and water used to fight the flames.  Due to the high ceilings, firefighters had to attack the blaze from multiple points and angles, requiring holes to be cut in the roof in order to reach flames in the ceiling of the church. SFES investigators are receiving assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s office in the investigation of the cause. The State Fire Marshal’s office provided a canine specifically trained to assist in fire investigations by sniffing out any possible accelerants that might be present at the scene.

This is the second fire at the newly constructed church, which was scheduled to hold its first mass in the new sanctuary the first of November.  The previous fire on July 29, 2009 caused moderate damage to one area of the church sanctuary and was ruled accidental.  Investigators determined its cause to be a battery charger that overheated and ignited paper covering the newly installed flooring of the church.

No one was injured in this morning’s fire.