Fire destroys trailer outside Fawn church; cause under investigation

A storage trailer outside of Harvest Baptist Church in Fawn was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal will investigate the cause of the fire, which was not immediately known, Harrison Hills fire Chief Jules Beer said.

No injuries were reported.

The fire at the church atop a hill overlooking Route 28 was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. Firefighters from Harrison, Fawn and Tarentum responded.

The 53-foot trailer was sitting 20 to 25 feet away from a side of the church and school. There was no damage to the building, but there was concern that its HVAC system may have pulled some smoke inside.

The trailer contained play props for the school, Pastor Marc Likins said. He did not know how the fire could have started.

“There’s nothing of high value in there at all,” he said.

Although there is only one hydrant at the church, Beer said firefighters had no difficulties.

Harvest Baptist has nearly 660 adult members and 350 students in its K-12 school, Harvest Baptist Academy, Likins said.

Likins said he expects the school to be open Monday, unless firefighters advise him otherwise.