Elk Grove Methodist Church Classrooms Burn Before Rummage Sale
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A fire ripped through a local church, causing extensive damage to three classrooms inside the building.
The fire at the Elk Grove United Methodist Church didn't burn the sanctuary, but it did torch classrooms and there was concern about a strip mall connected to the building.
Eddie Frutchey lives behind the church and recorded the fire.
"Jumped out of my car and make sure you know that there wasn't anybody inside and they say no there's nobody here and all the gates are locked up," he said.
When firefighters arrived, several classrooms were fully engulfed. Church leaders say they were packed with donations from parishioners.
"All the items that were inside of the items that you see normally would be here but they were here for the rummage sale," said church leader Mark Hedlund.
Lots of old, donated furniture and clothing were destroyed by the flames.
Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to nearby stores.
"It's a very old building, so I'm glad it didn't spread further than it did," Frutchey said. "The firefighters did a super quick job of getting here and putting it out."
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but church leaders believe an electrical issue may be to blame.
