An early morning fire Thursday that destroyed the Agape House pregnancy counseling center on Hurt Street is being investigated as possible arson.
The fire, which was reported at 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning gutted the older wooden-frame house that had served as the counseling center’s headquarters since it opened in mid-April. The house is owned by David Breeding of First Realty and Auction Co. of Columbia.
Kentucky State Police Arson Investigator Det. Alex Wesley and Deputy State Fire Marshals Charles Sparks and Todd Price are investigating the fire, and Det. Wesley said that it “appears to be of a criminal nature.”
Deputy Fire Marshal Sparks said that the fire appeared to have been set in the rear part of the first floor of the house.
The fire also triggered an explosion in the basement of the structure where natural gas had accumulated after a section of copper gas line had been removed, most likely by a burglar.
“While the gas had been turned off to the house, a section of gas line had been removed, and there had been enough gas bleeding through for it to accumulate in the basement,” Sparks explained. “When the fire started and spread, it caused the gas to explode, blowing out some of the concrete blocks in the foundation.”
Sparks said that removal of the gas line and the fire do not appear to be related, with the theft of the copper gas line occurring at an earlier date.
Det. Wesley said that they are continuing their investigation into the fire, and he and the fire marshals are scheduled to meet today with representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Columbia Utilities and the insurer of the property to do further work on the case.
Eighteen members of the Columbia Fire Department responded to the fire, and were on the scene for approximately four hours fighting the fire.
Stephanie Caldwell, director of Agape House, said the fire destroyed all of the organization’s furniture, office equipment, records, as well as materials they supply to new mothers, such as diapers, clothing,  cribs, etc.
“We lost everything we had in the house,” Caldwell said.
While the fire is a major setback for the new organization, Caldwell said that Agape House will re-open.
“We’re going to continue to operate and provide services,” she said. “It may take us a month or two to get back up and going, but we’ve already starting looking for another place to re-locate.”
Saturday fire damages
home on KY 206
The Adair County Fire Department responded to a fire Saturday afternoon off KY 206.
The fire occurred at a residence owned by Debbie Loy located at 25 Hillcrest Lane off Liberty Road.
When firefighter arrived on the scene, the fire was discovered in the attic area, and was quickly contained.
According to City Fire Chief Mike Glasgow, the fire was apparently started when lighting struck a satellite receiver and ignited materials in the attic.
The house sustained moderate smoke and water damage.
Sixteen firemen were on the scene for approximately one hour.

Photo:THE AGAPE HOUSE, a pregnancy resource center located on Hurt Street, was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. The fire is thought to be an arson fire, and Kentucky State Police Arson Investigator Det. Alex Wesley and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are conducting an ongoing investigation. (Photo by Paul B. Hayes)