Five businesses and a church gutted by a fire in the Lowcountry.
Flames raced through a strip mall on US-17.
A church member and fire officials believe this fire is covering up the real story.
Miriam Najara, described the remains of her church, the 7th Day Adventist Church, that was destroyed in a Wednesday morning fire. “This is a special house because this is God's house.”
Fire officials say the fire started inside, The Mini Bar, which is a part of this shopping plaza. They say because of the time and size of this fire, they are asking question. “There were some signs around the back side that gave us reason to question the cause of the fire,” says Fire Chief Daniel Morgan.
Fire officials from both Georgia and South Carolina, worked all day to put out the fire and are trying to determine the cause. At least initially there is reason to believe a burglary may have been attempted. “The fire is under investigation. We have called in the Fire Arson Investigation Team. “
Meanwhile, members of the 7th Day Adventist Church say, they just moved into their new building, 10 months ago, which makes the lost, tougher to deal with. “We were so happy because we had a place to go. It was like a 2nd house for us. “
A home, where they hold weekly Bible study lessons, but Najara says building or no building, their work will continue. “We are really, really sad. We don't know where we're going now. The rest of what we can do is work, hard to start again.”
Hardeeville Fire Chief, Daniel Morgan says they suspect arson in this fire and the fire is under investigation.
