Old Fillmore United Methodist Church catches fire

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. – A fire alarm went off early Wednesday morning at the old Fillmore United Methodist Church, causing extensive damage.

The fire on Wednesday morning appeared to have started outside the building but quickly entered. The roof of the church collapsed partially and severely damaged the internal structure as

well. The church has not been used for several years and no one was injured.

Alpha Fire Company responded as well as Bellefonte Fire Department. They were joined by about eight tankers from fire companies around the county, Centre LifeLink EMS and Centre County Emergency Management.

Crews had the fire under control in about an hour, Centre Region Fire Director Shawn Kauffman said.

This is the second church in Centre County to have caught fire in the last few weeks. On Sept. 14, Woodycrest United Methodist Church was ablaze and there is currently an investigation pending.

No conclusion has been made for the cause of either Church burning, but the local fire marshall suspects that the fires were both intentional.

Hannah Neurohr is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email hmn5264@psu.edu.