Fire Destroys A Church [E. Palestine]

[yfdgricker]

From the WKBN TV 27 Web Site on 7/28/04...

Fire Destroys A Church

(7/28/04) An East Palestine building is a complete loss, after a fire tore through it earlier tonight.

A member of God's Haven Christian Academy was preparing for tonight's Bible study when they noticed smoke pouring from the building around 7 o'clock.

It took 8-fire departments to get the fire under control. It is not clear what sparked the blaze.

[yfdgricker]

Church school lost to flames
Morning Journal Staff Reports
7/29/2004

UNITY — Despite the efforts of several fire departments from both Ohio and Pennsylvania, fire officials are calling a fire at God’s Haven Christian Academy, state Route 14, a total loss.

Preparing for Wednesday night Bible study, a member of the church noticed smoke coming from the building early evening Wednesday and contacted East Palestine Fire Department at 7:02 p.m.

The building, separate from the sanctuary across the parking lot, serves as the church’s school. The building contained several features, including a full basketball court. It was completed in 1990.

A Journal employee reported seeing smoke from as far away as the intersection of state Routes 7 and 14.

John Foster, who lives north of the fire on state Route 170 said he could see the heavy smoke from the fire from their family farm. The first thing that came to his mind was that it might be a barn full of wet hay. He headed out to check on the fire, but could get no closer than Prine’s Auto Body on state Route 14, where the road was blocked by the East Palestine Fire Chief’s vehicle.

Another nearby resident, Steven McElroy said he went to the fire from his home on state Route 170. He said the departments kept running out of water and the flames were shooting through the roof, so more and more departments were called to bring their tanker trucks.

He also said a lot of spectators were pulling over the side of the road to watch, noting that the church is not far from a fireworks store and a gas station. Spectators may have been expecting explosions or fireworks.

Nancy Herr, who lives across the road, was not home at the time of the fire began. However, she said at 10 p.m. she could still see the flames flaring up where there were hot spots.

No injuries were reported. Fire departments, including Springfield Township, Negley, Darlington, Pa., Enon Valley, Pa., East Palestine, New Waterford and New Galilee, Pa. responded to the scene.

The building still was fully engulfed at 8:51 p.m. A cause could not be determined at press time.

The church is located on state Route 14 in Unity Township, near the Pennsylvania state line. The church’s pastor is John Parker.