Jul 3, 2009 4:02 pm US/Eastern
Church Plans Move Forward After Steeple Fire
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
Baltimore Fire officials are blaming lightning for a two-alarm fire that damaged a city church and its steeple.
CBS
-
-
Firefighters battle church fire. Picture from Damion Olds.
CBS
-
-
The church is one of Baltimore City's oldest churches. Picture from Damion Olds.
CBS
-
-
Heavy smoke was coming from the steeple.
CBS
Plans to repair a west Baltimore church are taking shape, just days after it was hit by lightning.
Adam May reports the church members are hopeful things will work out for the best, and disasters like these have impacted other churches.
A neighborhood preservationist photographed nature's result after a steeple caught fire.
"We were out on the balcony when the storm started and then we ran in, because the lightning was so intense," said Marilyn Benaderet.
The steeple of Bethel A.M.E. went up in flames late Wednesday night. Firefighters were able to limit the damage, but it's a big set back to one of the cities most prominent churches. Mayor Sheila Dixon is a member of the church.
"Were actually blessed, because other than one side of the hallway and the upper level everything else is in place and intact," said the Mayor.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident; there have been a number of steeple fires at Baltimore churches over the last couple of years.
A huge lightning storm caused the major church fire in West Baltimore. The flames wee so fierce the steeple collapsed. Last summer, a Hampden church went up in flames. Fire officials blame the fire on lightning and the steeple's shape.
"A pointed object will break down air molecules and provide that a conducting pathway much easier than say a tree that is big and round," said Dave Shaefer.
Church fires don't just damage buildings; they can hurt the entire community when social programs end.
Luckily, in this case Bethel A.M.E. is expected to reopen.
"We're just thankful the church wasn't destroyed and no more damage then their was," adds Benaderet.
Bethel A.M.E. remains closed this weekend and Sunday services will be held at the Pier Six concert pavilion downtown.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
