Minneapolis church fire ruled accidental

Razing the church
Heavy equipment is used to tear down a wall of the Walker Community United Methodist Church in the city's Powderhorn Park neighborhood on Monday, May 28, 2012. The building was gutted by a fire the previously evening. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.
MPR Photo/Hart Van Denburg

An investigator for the Minneapolis Arson Unit has classified last week's fire at Walker Community United Methodist Church in south Minneapolis as an accident.

In a report issued Tuesday, investigator Sgt. Sean McKenna said the fire originated in an attic of the church and that it was mostly likely caused by a lightning strike.

The fire occurred May 27 during a strong thunderstorm.

Some observers cited in earlier reports said that two men left the scene before the fire. Tuesday's report stated that they were believed to be members of a group allowed to use the building, and that very few people had access to the area where the fire started.

The remains of the church, which was more than a century old, were demolished the morning after the fire. Some community members have accused city authorities of botching the investigation. City officials said the ruins of the building posed a safety hazard, and that investigators were able to examine the remains before demolition.

Five firefighters were injured in the blaze.

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