Massive fire destroys historic church

(11/07/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A congregation has no place to call home after a lightning strike ignited a fire that burned down their historic church Monday night.

The flames coming out of Friendship Baptist Church Monday night were so intense that firefighters immediately went into defensive mode, trying to fight the fire from the outside instead of risking safety to fight it from within. At least 125 firefighters were on the scene. One suffered chest pains and had to be transported to the hospital. He's expected to be OK.

The fire moved very quickly. According to firefighters, all indications are that this fire was probably weather related.

Neighbors reported hearing a loud pop shortly before the flames broke out.

"It was just a loud boom and all of our lights went out," said nearby resident Kenny Nimitz. "The power went out for a couple of seconds and then it was restored. I assume it was lightning and thunder combo. And then when he called to say that the church was on fire, the common denominator was lightning struck. That's what I would guess."

By early Tuesday morning, crews had knocked down the remains of the structure. Friendship Baptist Church was celebrating its 103rd anniversary. The church had stood at this location since 1946.

Ironically, another well-known church in the same area, Bethel Baptist Church, was lost to an arson fire last year as well.

Another Baptist Church is stepping into help Friendship Baptist. Services were already scheduled for Tuesday night at Bible Way Baptist Church at 7:30pm.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•