TIPP CITY —Tipp City Fire/EMS responded to the Church of the Nazarene, located at 1221 W. Main Street in Tipp City, for a report of a smoke coming from the sanctuary in the building at approximately 5:08 p.m. on Sunday.

The on-scene personnel reported smoke showing on arrival, according to a press release from Cameron J. Haller, chief of Emergency Services for the city of Tipp City. The engine crew set command and performed fire attack. The building was evacuated on arrival.

Tipp City firefighters located the fire in the sanctuary on or near the alter. The fire was extinguished by quick action on behalf of the first engine on scene. The crews thoroughly checked the structure to ensure the fire did not spread. Multiple personnel responded from home to assist on-duty crews. Tipp City had multiple fire apparatus on the scene.

The origin of the fire was located in an area in which a candle was used in the morning for services. According to Haller, an adult leader of the church discovered the fire when he was opening the building for youth group activities. The smoke detectors that are present in the building were also not alarming.

The fire was deemed unintentional. The probable cause of the fire was a candle that was left burning on the Advent Wreath area after regular morning services on Sunday. The damage is primarily smoke damage inside the structure. The estimated damages are $50,000 for the property and $25,000 for the contents.

No injuries were reported by church personnel or emergency crews on scene. Two ambulance calls were dispatched and handled during the fire incident. The West Milton Fire Department and a Union Township ambulance were on scene for mutual aid.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau, was notified of the fire. Tipp City Electric, Tipp City Police Department, and Center Point Energy all assisted on the scene.