Sandersville Church Sanctuary Called Total Loss | News

Sandersville's fire chief says the sanctuary of First Christian Church is a total loss after a major fire Friday.

Chief Russell Riner says the fire was reported around 11 a.m. at the church on East Church Street.

Around 2:30, he told 13WMAZ's Eleanor Lissitzyn that the fire was out but firefighters were still hosing down "hot spots."

He said around 50 firefighters, from every department in Washington County and some from outside, responded to fight the blaze.

He said one firefighter was flown to Augusta for treatment of heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. Two others were treated on the scene for dehydration

He said firefighters can't go into the church building, due to the severe damage. He said they're afraid the building could collapsed.

But he said First Christian members were happy that the church stained glass was not damaged and could be salvaged.

There's no word on the cause, but Riner said the state fire marshal's office in on the way to investigate, standard procedure for church fires.

Viewers sent us photos of the fire burning at the First Christian Church on East Church Street.

SLIDESHOW: Sandersville Church Fire

Check back with 13WMAZ.com for updates on this story today.