Butler County church damaged by fire

Crews battled a church fire in Butler County on Thursday morning.

The fire broke out around 7:18 a.m. at Crossway Community Church, 109 Davis Road, Valencia.

There’s no word yet on what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

A Channel 11 photographer captured video of extensive damage to a wall of the church.

“The building is a beautiful building. You can see it when you’re driving down 228,” said Pastor Tony Cervero.

Cervero said a janitor discovered the fire around 7:15 a.m. and immediately called 911.

“The air conditioner was probably the culprit and the spark and the source of the fire,” Cervero said.

Middlesex firefighters worked to put out the flames that damaged the church’s education wing, the attic and roof. The rest of the building has smoke and water damage, so Cervero said the church won’t be able to hold services for some time.

“When we pull together — everyone, and the hearts and the minds of the people — people seem to rise at time like this, and I believe this is going to be one of our finest hours,” Cervero said.

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