OCEAN CITY, Md. - More details are emerging into what may have caused an Ocean City Church to go up in flames, killing two men, including its pastor.

Investigators say 56-year old John Raymond Sterner, of Ocean City, entered St. Paul's by the Sea on fire and quickly spread fire to the building.



Investigators believe an accelerant was involved in the quick spread of the fire, which claimed the life of Sterner. Sterner was found dead inside of the building.

Fire fighters say the incident happened on Tuesday, November 26, around 9:25 a.m.

The Ocean City Fire Department responded to the scene, located at 302 North Baltimore Avenue.

The initial investigation determined that the fire originated on the ground floor pantry and porch of the Shepherd's Crook facility.

The fire also claimed the life of St. Paul's by the Sea's Reverend, David Dingwall. Fire Department personnel located Rev. Dingwall during a search of the second floor of the building, where they experienced heavy smoke and heat conditions. Reverend Dingwall, who was unconscious at the time, was quickly removed from the building, treated on the scene by paramedics and transported to Atlantic General Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

A female victim, whose name is not being released, sustained injuries attempting to exit the Shepherd's Crook facility of the structure. She was treated on the scene by paramedics and transported to John's Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

The remains of Rev. Dingwall and Sterner have been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland in Baltimore for autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death.

Dingwall was a native of Canada who became rector of St. Paul's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in 2005. He is survived by his wife, their son and her two sons from a previous marriage.

"Today was a very tragic day for our community," said Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore. "We are thankful for the numerous agencies that assisted us during our response and especially thankful for all of the public safety personnel who helped prevent this fire from claiming more lives."

Initial damage assessments indicate significant fire damage of the first and second floor office, in addition to smoke and overhaul damage throughout the first floor of the rectory building. The worship center and Red Doors Community Center, which are located within St. Paul's by the Sea, experienced minimal to no significant damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Ocean City Fire Department's Fire Marshal's Office and the Ocean City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division. The Maryland State Fire Marshal and Worcester County Fire Marshal are also assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the fire, including photograph or video taken before the arrival of the Fire Department, is asked to contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410.723.6610.