Historical chapel catches on fire

POLAND, Ind. (WTHI) - A Wabash Valley landmark on the National Register of Historic Places caught fire on Tuesday.

Shortly after 3 a.m., a neighbor spotted flames shooting out from the Poland Historical Chapel in Clay County and called 911.

"What I was thinking when I was dispatched was a lot worse than what I actually found when I got here and it was a major relief," assistant chief of the Poland Volunteer Fire Department Brad Allen said. Allen got married at the chapel nine years ago.

Firefighters said there's a clear pattern of accelerant that has damaged the carpet.

"The first thing I hear was the chapel is on fire and that was just devastating, so moments later I was here and I don't want to see this. Fortunately, it was contained and by this fire department, we still have a standing building and we have something to work with and we will put it back together," Chapter Historical Society President Joyce Smidley said.

The chapel was listed on the National Register in 1990. It was built in 1869, but has not been used by a church congregation since 1927.

It is used primarily for weddings, but it unlocked 24 hours a day. Smidley said that may change.

There is a $5,000 reward for any tip that leads to an arrest of an arsonist. The state fire marshal's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms are investigating.