SBI: No foul play in fire at North Carolina church
ROSE HILL, N.C. (AP) — The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation says there is no reason to suspect foul play in a fire that destroyed a church.
Authorities told media outlets that the fire broke out Monday morning in the sanctuary at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church, which was built in 1920. Firefighters from across Duplin County responded to the blaze.
Duplin County Emergency Management Director Matt Barwick said the roof collapsed as firefighters entered the church, forcing them back outside. Barwick said low temperatures turned any water that didn't hit the fire into ice.
Pastor Christopher Vogle Leak said no one was inside the church.