BEVERLY — Investigators have concluded that an overloaded electrical power strip caused the fire that destroyed the inside of the First Assembly of God Church in Ryal Side on Monday night.
Investigators said the power strip overheated, igniting combustible materials that were in contact with it.
The fire developed quickly and ended up causing nearly $400,000 in damage to the church at 3 Dolloff Ave. Firefighters kept the fire from damaging the structure of the building, officials said.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Beverly Fire Department; Beverly Police Department; state police; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Beverly fire Capt. Jeff Sirois was the lead investigator.
First Assembly of God pastor Chester "Skip" Gray has said the congregation plans to meet at an undetermined local church until the building is repaired.
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