LAFAYETTE, La. — A fire broke out in the Youth Ministry building at Asbury United Methodist Church. According to the Lafayette Fire Department, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. and was caused by lightning.
Lafayette firefighters were dispatched to the church on Live Oak Boulevard, where they found smoke coming from the roof of the Youth Ministry building.
Emergency crews requested additional resources due to concerns about the potential spread of the fire and the size of the building. Firefighters discovered that the fire was burning in the wall of a room on the second floor.
The fire penetrated the roof, causing significant smoke and fire damage. Firefighters had the fire under control within 30 minutes.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Utility services to the Youth Ministry building were disconnected due to the fire damage.
Lafayette experienced a severe weather event Thursday evening, during which lightning strikes were observed in the area.
The fire was ruled accidental.
