Photo courtesy of WGRV Radio

GREENE COUNTY FIRE OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING A WEEKEND BLAZE THAT DESTROYED AN HISTORIC CHURCH. THE FIRE STARTED SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BAILEYTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. UPON ARRIVAL, FIRE CREWS FOUND THE SANCTUARY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ATTACHED FELLOWSHIP HALL. THE SANCTUARY BURNED TO THE GROUND IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CHURCH WAS BUILT IN 1905 AND THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WAS ADDED IN 1985. FIRE OFFICIALS DON’T SUSPECT FOUL PLAY AND BELIEVE THE BLAZE MAY HAVE STARTED IN A FURNACE AT THE CHURCH.