By Lucky Kidd
COLONY, Kan. — More details have been released on Thursday night’s fire that destroyed Colony Community Church, which Anderson County Emergency Management Director Mark Locke said in a Sunday afternoon statement was “purposely set.”
Locke said the fire was discovered about 7:40 PM when an Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy looking for a missing juvenile entered the church and found that person, along with a building filled with smoke. The juvenile was initially taken to Anderson County Hospital before being transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
When fire crews from Colony, Garnett and Welda arrived, fire was visible on the west side of the building and battled the blaze until about 11 PM Thursday. The fire rekindled about 8:15 Friday morning, with those three departments along with units from Iola, Harris and Westphalia responding, battling that fire into early afternoon.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF are assisting the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation of the fire, further information on which will be released by the Sheriff’s Office or the Anderson County Attorney.
In addition to all of the emergency responders involved, Locke extended thanks to the Fire Department Auxiliary who provided food and drink, to 7th Street Market and Stay Grounded Coffee Company for refreshments they provided, to Anderson County Road and Bridge crews who helped block roads around the scene, and the citizens of Colony and Anderson County for their support of all those affected by the incident.
Following a community vigil Friday evening, the congregation of Colony Community Church met Sunday morning to discuss plans moving forward.