ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701170093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
A short in a coffeemaker cord apparently sparked a fire at a Northeast Roanoke church Thursday night.
A passing motorist noticed the fire at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Huntington Boulevard about 8:20 p.m., District Fire Chief John Johnson said. The church is just off Williamson Road.
Firefighters contained the blaze to two storage rooms on the auditorium side of the church. The priest and several others were holding a Bible study on the other side of the church when the fire started.
Johnson said it appears the coffeemaker's cord was shoved between a table and a wall. Over time, the cord was worn away and could have set off a fire at any time. He estimated damages at $30,000.
The bitter cold Thursday night hampered firefighters' efforts, with water freezing on contact with the ground. Several firefighters slipped on the ice, but no one was injured.
LENGTH: Short : 27 linesby CNB