Wires caught hymnals in Henry County church on fire, causing major damage

HENRY COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE

Investigators say wires caught hymnals on fire in a Henry County church Tuesday night, causing thousands of dollars of damage. 

The Henry County fire marshal says the fire at Antioch Christian Church appears to be accidental. 

A piano light inside the church was plugged in but not turned on. The fire marshal says it appears that wires from the light caught nearby hymnals on fire. 

The fire caused an estimated $3,000 of damage. 

ORIGINAL STORY

Local church leaders are reacting to a fire that left a Henry County church devastated.

The fire started around 7 p.m. Tuesday night at the Antioch Christian Church in the 500 block of Spencer Preston Road in Spencer. 

Star TV News reports it took multiple fire departments around two hours to put out the flames.

Henry County Public Safety says crews will be back on scene Wednesday to investigate a cause. The church is not a total loss but there is significant damage to the sanctuary area.

Church leaders say while there is no plan for what to do yet, they will need to meet in a new building.

"We've got to have a meeting to come up with something. you know it is too early yet to tell," said Allen Watkins, church leader. 

No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

While much of the church was burned, there were some bibles that survived the fire.