UPDATED: Fire at Immanuel Baptist Church

A Greencastle firefighter exits the Immanuel Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon as part of a fire investigation into what might have started a fire at the church Wednesday morning. Smoke was spotted coming from the building by a jogger around 5 a.m. (Photo by KYLE HOLLINGER)

An early morning jogger was responsible for spotting smoke at Immanuel Baptist Church in Wednesday morning at 5 a.m.

While out on his morning run around 5 a.m., Thomas Miller saw smoke at the church, located at 9 Houck Rd. in Greencastle and quickly called emergency services.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze swiftly, the only visible external damage on the brick building was a spot where firefighters cut a hole in the roof, although damages were estimated at $175,000.

The Immanuel Baptist Church in Greencastle had to have holes cut in its roof as part of a firefighting effort early Wednesday morning. Smoke was reported coming from the building by a jogger around 5 a.m. The investigation into what might have started the blaze was ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by KYLE HOLLINGER)

"There is quite a bit of damage inside, a bit of structural damage and a lot of content (damage)," Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and the investigation involves multiple agencies and because it was on a religious site, the investigation must legally include the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) division as well as the state fire marshal.

"Right now, we remain under investigation," Newgent said, explaining that the presence of the state fire marshal and ATF does not imply anything other than the fact that they are assisting the Greencastle Fire Department (GFD)and the Greencastle Police Department (GPD) with the investigation.

All departments are awaiting an insurance investigator to assess the damages and add to the process of determining the cause and full extent of the blaze.

"If not for the firemen, it would have been a lot worse," community member Jason Keene said at the site of the fire, adding that the first responders of Putnam County are exceptional at doing their jobs.

Working in together to extinguish the fire were agencies from across Putnam County, including Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bainbridge Fire Department, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department, Reelsville Fire Department, Operation Life as well as GFD and GPD.