Digest

Kara E. Calder, a county schools spokeswoman, said the school transportation office was assisting county police with the investigation.

Julie Bykowicz

Frederick County

: Walkersville

Church building has 3-alarm fire

A three-alarm fire battled by at least 75 firefighters damaged a building under construction at a Roman Catholic church in Frederick County yesterday, a county fire official said.

The fire, reported in a multipurpose building shortly before 3 p.m. at St. Timothy's parish on Biggs Ford Road in Walkersville, was declared under control in about an hour.

At least 75 firefighters from more than a dozen career and volunteer stations from Frederick and Carroll counties battled the fire, said Mike Dmuchowski, the spokesman for the county Division of Fire and Rescue Services. He said two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.

The state fire marshal's office said a spark from workers welding on the roof appeared to have ignited nearby combustible materials. The building, which was 80 percent complete, sustained $1 million in damage, the office said.

The Rev. Andrew D. Aaron, pastor of the church, said the fire did not reach the main sanctuary, about 30 feet away, and that church services would not be affected. Aaron said the church serves 980 families.

He said the multipurpose building, which was expected to open July 1, contains a basketball court, meeting rooms and offices.

Richard Irwin