SPENCER, Mass. — Investigators announced Monday that lightning is to blame for a fire that destroyed a historic church in Spencer on Friday.
The six-alarm blaze engulfed the First Congressional Church on Main Street within minutes, prompting a massive emergency response that included more than 80 firefighters from about 18 departments, according to the Fire Bureau status
Smoke could be seen from several surrounding towns as flames consumed the bell tower, causing it to collapse and crash to the ground.
The Rev. Bruce MacLeod, interim pastor of the First Congregational Church of Spencer, told Boston 25 that the building is all wood and dates from the 19th century, which is why it burned so quickly.
No one was inside when the fire started.
In 1862, the church building was also destroyed by fire but was rebuilt.
The church has a small congregation of about 30 people.
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