"At least the bell tower still stands as a symbol of what lies ahead in the rebuilding," Steele said.
During their visit, they met with fire investigators and County Executive Jack Johnson (D) for a preliminary briefing on the blaze that destroyed the building on Nov. 3.
Investigators looking for the source of the fire swarmed the building, even employing cranes to get an aerial view of the building.
"The primary mission now, which will take up the better part of today and tomorrow, is reconstructing the scene," said fire department spokesman Chauncey Bowers.
Bowers said the fire appears to have started on the roof, with 20- to 30-mile-per-hour winds contributing to the quick spread of the flames.
Another contributing factor was that the main water line had been turned off as part of the building
