CHURCH LOT FIRE DAMAGES CARS

Fire and police crews responded to a fire which burned shrubbery and damaged two cars late Wednesday afternoon, July 10, at the entrance to Community Bible Church on the Almota Road. The fire apparently started off a weed burning project which got out of control.

Fire crews received the alarm at 4:06 p.m. and responded to the scene.

Two cars which were parked at the church lot sustained damage to the headlights and front bumpers when the heat of the brush fire actually deformed the parts of the vehicles. Damaged were a 1997 Honda Civic and a 2010 Toyota Camry.

State Patrol Sgt. Bryan DuCommun was among the first on the scene. He saw smoke coming from the area of the church as he pulled into the WSP office, which is located north of the church on the Almota Road, and drove to the scene.

The sergeant said when he arrived at the scene first attempts were underway to keep the flames away from the two cars. A hose and some five gallon buckets were used for the first rounds until volunteer fire crews arrived.

Sgt. DuCommun said wind direction was one of the factors which reduced the threat to the church building which is constructed of cedar. The fire was along the entrance road on the north side of the church, and the wind was blowing northbound, away from the church.