Olive Bethel Church was considered a complete loss after an early morning fire on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Photo provided by Mentone Police Officer Sam Bonke.

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

AKRON — A fire destroyed the Olive Bethel Church, 12994 West CR 1000S, Akron, early Tuesday morning, Aug. 4.

The fire was reported at about 6 a.m.

Mentone Fire Department, Akron Fire Department and Rochester Fire Department responded to the blaze along with help from Mentone EMS and Lutheran EMS.

Upon arrival at the scene, the church building was fully engulfed with fire already appearing through the roof.

“There was just no saving the structure considering the amount of fire that was there when we arrived,” said Mike Yazel, Fire Chief for Mentone Fire Department.

The cause of the fire is still currently under investigation by the state fire marshall.

Yazel estimated the damage at around $130,000.