Patton Church Damaged by Fire
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: May 26, 2010
PATTON, CAMBRIA COUNTY - An early morning church fire in Northern Cambria County extensively damaged a century old Church early on this Wednesday.
An alert neighbor basically saved Saints Thomas and Luke Episcopal Church in Patton. It was just before seven in the morning when that neighbor noticed smoke coming out of the eves of the historic Church on Fifth Avenue in Patton.
A quick emergency call drew a fast response from the Patton Volunteer Fire Company which is located a couple of blocks away.
The first fire fighters on the scene were able to quickly knock down the blaze and contain the actual fire damaged to a small area near the alter in the front of the Church.
While the rest of the church building suffered significant smoke and water damage, the structure is still sound. Early indications are that this was an accidental fire that started in or around an electrical organ that was near the front of the Church sanctuary.
Because this was a fire in an active house of worship, an extensive investigation is underway to try and determine the exact cause of the early morning blaze.
Both a State Police Fire Marshal and an Agent from the Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms Division were on hand to collect evidence from the scene..
The Senior Warden of the Church said that t while an extensive clean up and repair job will be required, this Church building was insured and the Congregation will continue to move forward. Plans are already being made to hold services this coming Sunday in the classroom wing of the Church building that was not damaged by the fire.
An alert neighbor basically saved Saints Thomas and Luke Episcopal Church in Patton. It was just before seven in the morning when that neighbor noticed smoke coming out of the eves of the historic Church on Fifth Avenue in Patton.
A quick emergency call drew a fast response from the Patton Volunteer Fire Company which is located a couple of blocks away.
The first fire fighters on the scene were able to quickly knock down the blaze and contain the actual fire damaged to a small area near the alter in the front of the Church.
While the rest of the church building suffered significant smoke and water damage, the structure is still sound. Early indications are that this was an accidental fire that started in or around an electrical organ that was near the front of the Church sanctuary.
Because this was a fire in an active house of worship, an extensive investigation is underway to try and determine the exact cause of the early morning blaze.
Both a State Police Fire Marshal and an Agent from the Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms Division were on hand to collect evidence from the scene..
The Senior Warden of the Church said that t while an extensive clean up and repair job will be required, this Church building was insured and the Congregation will continue to move forward. Plans are already being made to hold services this coming Sunday in the classroom wing of the Church building that was not damaged by the fire.
