Insurance Claim Denied in Chilton County, Ala. Church Roof Collapse

An insurance claim filed in Clanton, Ala. by a Chilton County church that suffered a roof collapse last month has been denied.
Alfa Insurance, which issued the policy, denied the claim filed by the Cedar Grove Methodist Protestant Church, The Clanton Advertiser reported in a story Tuesday.

Alfa Insurance officials would not comment, citing client confidentiality.

Ragan Ingram, assistant commissioner for the Alabama Department of Insurance, said the decision is probably because of a violation in state building codes.

State officials have said the only law that appears to have been violated is a requirement that public assembly buildings be designed by a licensed architect. Chilton County does not have building codes or a building inspector.

Pastor Jeff Carroll, a homebuilder, has said he takes responsibility for the June 22 collapse, which he blamed on faulty roof trusses.

Carroll could not be reached for comment Monday.