(Photos courtesy of MFD)
Updated Thursday, 8:50 a.m.
Manhattan Fire Department inspectors have ruled the fire was accidental, caused by the self-heating of discarded staining materials.
They have estimated the fire caused $10,000 in damage to the contents of the building and $20,000 in smoke damage. The section of the building where Habitat for Humanity ReStore is located did not sustain any damage.
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Wednesday:
A fire broke out at the Living Word Church and Habitat for Humanity ReStore building on Amherst Avenue early Wednesday morning, according to the Manhattan Fire Department.
MFD sent 20 firefighters and 7 fire apparatus to the scene after they received a report that the church’s alarm was sounding off at 2:15 a.m. Fire contained the blaze within 20 minutes, though ventilation took several hours due to the size of the building.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated and the cost of damage is still being evaluated and estimated.
The church was in the process of performing alterations.