An early-morning fire burned down the Hamlin Reformed Church in rural Castlewood.
According to the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was reported just before 6 a.m. Wednesday. Sheriff Chad Schlotterbeck said crews from the nearby towns of Castlewood, Estelline and Hayti started arriving by 6:12 a.m. and stayed through the day. The last trucks left at sundown.
Schlotterbeck said the building was gutted by the fire, calling the structure "a complete loss."
“By the time we had arrived, it was pretty much engulfed,” Schlotterbeck said.
No one was inside the church when it went up in flames, and no firefighters were injured.
Firefighters also prevented the blaze from spreading to the pastor’s house located next to the main church building.
“They did an amazing job of saving the house and all the buildings around,” Schlotterbeck said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
According to Schlotterbeck, Hamlin County has generally seen few fires despite recent dry conditions.
“This is the first building or structure fire we’ve had in quite a while,” Schlotterbeck said.
Schlotterbeck said his office has been in contact with church leadership about providing any help necessary going forward.
According to a post from the church’s Facebook page, their service Sunday, Oct. 30, will be held in the building’s parking lot.