Lightning Possible Cause of Danville Church Fire

A fire that may have been caused by a lightning strike has caused about $1 million worth of damage to the Ridgeview Baptist Church in Danville.

Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason tells The News-Gazette in Champaign that someone driving by before dawn Saturday reported flames burning through the roof of the church, located at 3838 North Vermilion Street. Strong storms passed through the area late Friday and early Saturday

Thomason says the damage doesn't look too bad from the outside. But he says the interior is badly damaged.

No one was in the church, and no injuries were reported.

The congregation was planning to hold services Sunday in an outdoor pavilion but isn't sure yet what it will do in the weeks ahead.