An Early Morning Fire Destroyed a Church in Canadian County, Oklahoma

CORBETT, Okla. (AP) -- An early morning fire that destroyed a church in Canadian County on Sunday may have been caused by a heater for the baptismal pool.

The fire, which began at about 4:20 a.m., was reported by neighbors.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the church was burning, said Lexington Fire Chief Harry Grider. It nearly four hours to get under control.

The church's pastor told firefighters he left a heater on inside the church the night before to heat the baptismal pool water.

While the church was a total loss, the pastor told officials that the church has insurance.

The fire caused an estimated $300,000 damage. The state fire marshal's office is investigating, Grider said.