7/30/18 – 5:24 A.M.

Fire destroyed a Buddhist temple in eastern Hancock County late last week. Firefighters responded to the building at 23434 U.S. 224 in Alvada around 11:15 p.m. Friday.

No one was in the temple when the fire broke out. Washington Township Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Bill Laveglia described the building as a pole barn with some additions. A Buddhist monk who lives on the property was able to let firefighters in to try and fight the flames.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.