Historic Delaware County Camping Site Hit By Fire
CHESTER HEIGHTS, Pa. (AP) - Fire has once again struck a historic suburban Philadelphia religious camp meeting site, damaging nine buildings, including a church.
The blaze at Chester Heights Camp Meeting in Delaware County was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters reported multiple buildings ablaze when they arrived, including a church fully engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.
In October, another early morning blaze destroyed the site's iconic worship tabernacle and two cottages. Three people were later charged with arson.
The camp meeting was established by the Methodist church in 1872 for religious and social gatherings but later became nondenominational. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and received county funds last year to help restore some of the 62 remaining century-old Victorian frame cottages.
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