It appears that a lightning strike set Cherry Creek Church of Christ's roof ablaze early Monday morning as severe storms rolled through central Ohio.
Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Brian Barnhart said a neighbor reported seeing lightning strike the building at 4977 Sullivant Avenue around midnight. Firefighters received a call around 3:50 a.m. when flames began to engulf the roof. Barnhart said the building may have been smoldering for the hours before first responders were called.
Barnhart said the roof caved in and the chapel was destroyed, but firefighters salvaged other parts of the building. The fire was extinguished by 5 a.m. Monday.
No injuries have been reported. Barnhart said firefighters found no victims inside the building. The church had last been used on Sunday.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Barnhart said investigators do not think it was a targeted offense or a terrorist attack. He believes Sunday night's storm was likely the cause.
Barnhart did not know whether the heavily damaged church could be salvaged.
