Pastor hopeful areas of Keene United Methodist Church can be salvaged following fire

KEENE − Pastor Paula Marbury and church members stood on the side of the hill in front of Keene United Methodist Church Thursday afternoon as firefighters carried photos and mementos out of the building

A church member walking by earlier in the day noticed noticed the siding was melting and smoke was coming out of the left side of the building. The fire was reported at 1:30 p.m., and while it was extinguished rather quickly, firefighters remained on the scene for hours combatting hot spots and carrying items out the church.

The extent of damages and cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, it was contained to one area of the old white church on County Road 1. Marbury is hopeful other areas of the church can be cleaned up and easily salvaged. She's thankful the stained glass windows are unscathed.

Chief Lynn Powelson of the Three Rivers Fire District said first responders arrived on scene to find a working structure fire with flames in the third story of the church and extending into the attic. A quick search of the church found it unoccupied and fire suppression was immediately initiated. Powelson said there were no injuries.

Fire spread was contained to the third story, but there is smoke and water damage throughout the building. The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to assist with the investigation.

Marbury has led the church for more than four years. She and other parishioners were in the building Thursday morning and had no indication anything was wrong.

“I came over and it had already filled the main hallways and going in the main doorway, you couldn’t see anything. It was black,” Marbury said of arriving after the fire.

While there is smoke and water damage throughout the building, primarily scorched was a newer addition to the church, which is about 40 years old. It housed the Christian education wing, offices and fellowship hall.

The insurance company has been contacted and plans for reconstruction and church activities going forward still need to be made.

Marbury said tentative plans are to hold services today at the Keene Grange Hall on County Road 12.

Fire companies assisting on scene included Walhonding, Coshocton, West Lafayette, Jackson Township, Killbuck, Baltic, Conesville, Newcomerstown, Bakersville and Holmes District 1. Also on scene were Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, Coshocton County Sheriff's Office, Salvation Army and REACT.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Keene United Methodist Church badly damaged in Thursday fire