UPDATE: Pastor Injured In Fire At Church

Sanctuary At Grace Mennonite Not Damaged

Posted: December 6, 2012

By PETE DeLEA

Smoke seeps out of Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church in Lacey Spring this morning after a fire broke out in the church's attic. A pastor was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation but is expected to survive. (Photo by Nikki Fox)

LACEY SPRING — A pastor at Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church in Lacey Spring was taken to the hospital this morning after he attempted to knock down a fire with an extinguisher before emergency crews arrived.

The name of the pastor, who suffered smoke inhalation but was not thought to be seriously injured, could not be immediately confirmed.

About a half a dozen fire departments battled the fire, which began in the church’s attic.

Rockingham County Fire and Rescue Chief Jeremy Holloway said the fire was contained to the upper level of the church, located above the church’s fellowship hall. The sanctuary was not damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Holloway said.

The Daily News-Record will have a complete report on the fire in Friday's print and web editions.