PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A lightning strike started a fire in the steeple at Price Memorial AME Zion Church on Sunday. 

 

Firefighters responded to the report of a chimney fire at the church about 7:49 p.m. and saw fire coming from the steeple. 

 

The Engine 3 crew searched for  interior access to the steeple and checked for fire extension. Engine 5 supplied water and used the "deck gun monitor." Also responding was Engine 1 and Engine 6, as the rapid intervention team. 

 

The fire was extinguished within 45 minutes. 

 

The church steeple was essentially an "ornamental" design and

not part of the church's main foundational support structure," said Deputy Chief Daniel Garner in his report. 

 

The top portion of the steeple sustained heavy fire damage. Firefighters removed the damaged portion of the steeple to ensure full extinguishment. Eyewitness reports verified the fire was caused was due to a lightning strike. At the time leading up to this incident the center of the city had experienced a localized microburst thunder and lightning storm.

 

Garner said due to the quick, hard work of fire personnel and a little divine intervention the fire never gained a foothold on the main part of the church. 

 

There were no fire or civilian injuries from this incident. Damage estimates not available at the time of this writing.

 

This was the second fire within a 12-hour period. There was a fire alarm activation at 9:15 a.m. at Patrick's Pub. Firefighters found some smoke and water on arrival and a small fire was found to have occurred in a corner of the kitchen near the rear exit. It was extinguished by a single sprinkler head located right above the fire origin. Firefighters ensured full extinguishment and secured the system water flow to limit further damage.

 

The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion of oil-soaked rags. Damage estimates are not available at this time. City Health Department and Fire Prevention are working with the owner to get the restaurant opened again.