MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (Metro) -- Local, state and federal authorities are investigating a fire at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon early Sunday morning.
Fire officials say the fire started in the south area of the church, spread to the attic and managed to destroy 25-percent of the building.
When local authorities were forced to close the building because of the damage, the congregation met on the church lawn for about 45-minutes, consoling each other and hearing words of encouragement from their pastor.
A church trustee thinks the congregation may be able to use some of the building once clean-up crew has gone through and taken care of smoke and water damage.
The investigation into the cause of the fire includes county police and fire personnel, the ATF and the FBI.
Mount Vernon fire chief Roy Hari says the two federal agencies closely watch church fires and are most always included in this type of investigation.
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