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.
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
