WASHINGTON (AP) -- A church was heavily damaged by fire Monday night, a blaze investigators believe was caused by an electrical malfunction.
The fire at the Bunton Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 1300 block of Lawrence Street NE, started shortly before midnight. No one was inside at the time. When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof and electrical wires connected to the outside of the building were also burning.
Five firefighters were hospitalized for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. None was seriously injured.
Although the structure remains standing, the interior was severely damaged, D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter said. The altar, choir gallery and an 80-year-old pipe organ were destroyed.
Although investigators believe the fire was started accidentally, the FBI was called in to investigate, which is standard procedure with church fires, Etter said.
Pastor Delores Richard fought back tears as she surveyed the damage, but vowed to rebuild.
``Even in my pain, I can still see that God is still in this place,'' she said.
Church members gathered outside to pray Tuesday morning.
``It kind of brought a tear to my eye because it was kind of like a monument,'' parishioner Alfonso McSarland said. ``My first graduation ceremony was over here, and I saw a lot of people crying, and I feel their pain.''
Others were thankful that the building was still standing.
``It's a blessing that the structure is still here,'' said another church member. ``It could be worse. We could be looking at a shell now. This can be rebuilt. God just said, 'we're not going to take this church.' `
Richard said the church has insurance, and she will work to get repairs started as soon as possible.
