Achurch fire in the Walker County Community of Townley, Alabama has been ruled accidental by the Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office. The Townley Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at Beech Grove Freewill Baptist Church shortly after 3:00 p.m. September 11, 2009.Mutual aid in fighting the fire was provided by the Saragossa, Carbon Hill and McCollum Volunteer Fire Departments. According to Deputy State Fire Marshal Phillip Freeman, "the fire started in the ceiling of the foyer of the Church near a light fixture." The foyer and sanctuary received moderate fire, smoke, heat and water damage. In addition,the adjoining fellowhip hall received minor smoke damage.
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