DEBARY -- The First Presbyterian Church was destroyed by fire Thursday night with hot spots still flaring Friday morning, a Volusia County spokeswoman said later in the day Friday.
Personnel from Volusia County Fire Services, Orange City Fire Department, DeLand Fire Department and Deltona Fire Rescue responded at approximately 9:40 p.m. Thursday to the report of a fire at First Presbyterian Church, 267 E. Highbanks Road, DeBary, The church was fully involved when crews arrived on scene, said Vickie Pleus, a Volusia County spokeswoman.
The church and its adjacent offices are a total loss. The daycare/education building is partially damaged, Pleus said.
County officials say an apparent lightning strike sparked the blaze that resulted in rolling flames that completely engulfed the structure.
Forty-four firefighting personnel and 15 apparatus responded to the three-alarm call. State Fire Marshal officials arrived early Friday to assess the damage and determine the cause. The state report was not yet released as of 8:30 a.m. Friday. Volusia County fire crews continued extinguishing hot spots as of 8 a.m. Friday. Crews are expected to be on scene all day.
No other structures surrounding the church property were affected. No injuries were reported, Pleus said.