Mormon Church Fire in Massachusetts Ruled Accidental

A fire that began during Sunday morning services at a crowded church outside Harvard Square in Cambridge has been ruled accidental.

Cambridge Fire Department chief of operations John Gelinas said Monday investigators ruled the fire accidental hours after the blaze caused an estimated $1.9 million in damage at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

About 350 people were inside the church meeting house at the time, but officials say everyone was able to make it outside safely.

Witnesses say attendance at the church was larger than usual because the parish was part of a national teleconference with Mormon church leaders in Utah.

The building, which is about 60-years old, was gutted. The roof collapsed, but the steeple remained standing.


Information from: The Boston Globe