Church fire cause ruled undetermined

CARNESVILLE -- The cause of a fire that gutted the preschool wing of New Bethel Baptist Church Saturday night is undetermined.

That's according to Mitch Madaglia in Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgins' office after investigators visited the scene Monday.

Responding firefighters Saturday night were able to save the connected brick sanctuary building, as well as a recently-constructed metal fellowship hall attached to the rear of the brick wing that burned.

Madaglia said the case remains under investigation by state fire investigators.

The 422-member church, established in 1870 with 20 members, is located at 1310 New Bethel Road, Carnesville.