WASHINGTON (AP) — Firefighters from eight fire departments converged on campgrounds in Knox County to battle a large blaze that destroyed five buildings.
The first call came in just after 7:30 p.m. Monday to report that several buildings at the Washington Advent Christian Camp were on fire. Washington firefighters were in a training session nearby and were able to respond quickly.
But by the time crews arrived on the scene, a two-story dormitory was already fully engulfed in flames. The fire then spread to a dining hall and three smaller camp buildings, all of which have been deemed a total loss.
Fire officials say the biggest challenge was the orientation of the camp, with each building only a few feet apart.
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