SANFORD — A fire that roared through the unoccupied three-story rectory of a former Methodist Church on Tuesday was deliberately set.

Flames shot through the third story of the former rectory, but firefighters were able to confine the fire, sparing the nearby church and a three-unit apartment building next door.

Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Rowe said Capt. Brian Smith’s investigation showed the fire began on the first floor of the vacant building, located at 19 Bodwell St..

One firefighter, Lt. Eric Neubert, was injured when a piece of the roof fell on him. He was taken to Goodall Hospital with a possible neck injury, and later released.

The fire was the second at the property this month. Firefighters extinguished a small fire in the basement of the former church on July 3. It was also deliberately set, said Rowe.

Firefighters were called to the scene at abut 2 p.m. Tuesday and the last units left at about 7 p.m.

Nine fire departments from around the region fought the blaze or provided station coverage. The extra manpower allowed fire officials to rotate crews in the 80-plus degree temperatures, Rowe said.

“The troops did a great job,” said Rowe. “It was a good team effort on everybody’s part.”

Crystal Palmisano, who lives across the street, was among those who called 911, reporting the blaze.

“I walked out on my porch and saw the smoke and flames coming from the building,” she said.

It was the second time Palmisano made a 911 call, she said ”“ she reported the July 3 fire as well.

“I don’t know how anyone can do this to a church,” she said.

The property had functioned as a church for many years, but the congregation decided to embark on a building project and met in a local school for a number of years until they were able to build a new church building ”“ Crossroads Methodist Church on Grammar Road ”“ several years ago.

The Bodwell Street property that includes both the church and the rectory was sold to George and Pamela Thurlow in April 2000, according to town records. The couple operated the Holistic Healing Arts Center there for a few years, but the property has essentially been abandoned for the last couple of years.

Town records show the Thurlows have an address in Florida, but they could not be reached this morning for comment. It is not known if the property is insured.

Rick Stanley and his wife, Susan Cyr, own the adjacent three-unit, the former Walter K. Emery home. Stanley said he has registered concerns to Town Hall about the former church property.

“I complained because of fire and safety issues,” said Stanley as he and Cyr watched the fire, wondering if their adjacent three-unit would suffer damage. “Kids were breaking windows and going inside (the church property).”

Cyr, an attorney, performed a record search and found at one point a notice of foreclosure had been entered for the 19 Bodwell St. property. Cyr said action needs to be taken to ensure the property, and the neighboring properties, are safe.

“With the recent fire in the church building, it must be torn down and the rectory needs to be properly secured and all dangerous material removed from the premises as soon as possible,” said Cyr in an e-mailed statement. “If the owner or responsible parties cannot be located, then it should be the Town of Sanford’s responsibility to take proactive steps in order to protect its residents.”

According to the town treasurer’s office, the second portion of last year’s property taxes ”“ about $2,600 including interest ”“ were due March 15 and to date have not been paid.

Historian Harland Eastman said research shows the Methodist Church was built in 1890, with the first service held there on Sept. 28 that year. The rectory was built in 1896 or 1897, according to The Bicentennial History of Sanford, by Capt. Albert Prosser. Eastman said in the 1930s, the Methodist congregation at Alfred dwindled out and that some stained glass windows from the Alfred church were given to the Sanford congregation.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.