Above: WBNG footage of the scene at the First Baptist Church in Walton, destroyed by fire early this morning.
This just in from the Walton Police Department:
At approximately 3:25am, 911 received a call reporting a fire at the Baptist Church on the corner of Townsend and Platt streets in the village of Walton. Fire and Police were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival found the building extensively involved in fire. Walton fire requested mutual aid from Trout Creek, Delhi, Sidney, Franklin and Downsville. The fast burning fire destroyed the church and also ignited the parsonage next door. The parsonage located at 59 Townsend and 10 and 11 Platt Street were also damaged by heat and smoke. The fire was brought under control around 5 am.
While the fire was being fought by firefighters, police officers from Walton Police Department developed information that the fire in the church may have been deliberately started. As a result of their investigation Michael Allen, 31 of Walton was arrested on one count of Arson in the third degree, a class C felony; arraigned before Judge Richard Gumo and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $30,000 cash bail or $60,000 bond.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending. Anyone having information regarding this fire is urged to contact the Walton Polices Department at 865-8400.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, the NYS Police, the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control are assisting the Walton Police.
For additional information contact: Brian Laauser, Acting Chief, Walton Police Dept.
