Following fire, Laurel Lake Baptist Camp to reopen next week; cause still under investigation

A fire that damaged a dormitory at Laurel Lake Baptist Camp Tuesday night is under investigation by Kentucky State Police and the fire marshal.

Oak Grove Fire Department Chief Kevin Gibbs said firefighters did not find anything that has led them to suspect arson in the room of the building that housed 72 girls.

"It is standard practice to anytime we have a fire at a structure of this magnitude and with that many occupants," Gibbs said of turning the investigation over  to KSP.

Because of the ongoing investigation, Gibbs declined to comment on what part of the room the fire may have started.
The room was a bunk room, which had six beds.

Oak Grove firefighters were called out about 8 p.m. and had the fire extinguished within about 20 minutes. Woodbine and Bald Rock firefighters were also paged to the scene.

"We even had one Corbin City Firefighter who lives in the Bee Creek Community come out to help."

Firefighters were on scene for more than an hour and a half working to ensure all hot spots had been extinguished and that the fire did not spread to other parts of the building through the attic.

Pat Callahan, the camp manager, said the campers had been there about two days into a one-week stay.

Area churches were contacted to come and get all of the campers and take them home.

While this week’s camp was cut short, Callahan said a new group of campers will be coming in next week.

"This is absolutely repairable," Callahan said. "We have another group coming in on Monday. We will just utilize some different building to accommodate them.

"We just thank God there were no fatalities and no injuries," he said.

The camp has been owned and operated by the Southern Baptist Association since 1981.

Callahan said though donations are not necessary to help rebuild after the fire, they are always welcome.

Donations may be sent to Laurel Lake Baptist Camp, P.O. box 933, Corbin, KY 40702

Anyone who would like to offer of kinds of help to the camp may contact Callahan, 528-3522.