(UPDATE) Dundalk Church Fire Ruled an Arson

Updated at 4:27 p.m. April 11: Baltimore County Fire Department officials have ruled the fire that heavily damaged the Pleasant Zion Baptist Church on Tuesday night an arson.

Brisk winds helped fan a fire that heavily damaged the Pleasant Zion Baptist Church in the 4300 block of North Point Boulevard Tuesday night.

The three-alarm fire is thought to have started near two outdoor sheds and quickly spread to the church building, according to a Baltimore County Fire Department statement.

The fire was reported at about 7:38 p.m. Tuesday. Responding crews found a shed and debris fire at the back of the church, which was being threatened by the flames, according to the statement.

Firefighters requested a second alarm at 7:45 p.m. and withdrew crews from the inside of the church because of unsafe conditions.

Because of a "red flag" fire warning in place Tuesday, fire commanders requested a third alarm.

The warning, issued by the National Weather Service, was in place because of the combination of warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity that makes it easy for fire to spread quickly.

About 40 pieces of equipment responded to the fire, which was under control within an hour, according to fire department officials.

No one was inside the church at the time of the fore, and no one was injured fighting the blaze. One career firefighter from the Edgemere Fire Station was taken to a local hospital for a minor medical condition unrelated to the fire, according to department officials.

The fire, which has been ruled an arson, remains under investigation.

Investigators estimate that the fire caused about $400,000 in damage to the church building and its contents.

The Pleasant Zion congregation was founded in 1899, according to its Dundalk Patch directory listing.

Police have no suspect description at this time and ask the public's help in identifying the person or persons responsible for this fire.

If you have information that may help police with the case, please call 410-307-2020; or contact Metro Crime Stoppers, www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Citizens who provide information leading to the indictment or arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.