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Last updated on Monday, June 4, 2018
(CROTHERSVILLE) - Evangelist Sam Stegall woke at 6 a.m. Sunday to someone beating on the door of his trailer located behind Lighthouse Tabernacle in Crothersville saying the church was on fire.
Photo by Beverly Peacock Baker, a member of the church
Smoke was coming from the rear of the church. A 911 call was placed then Stegall called the church's pastor, Jerry Miles, and Miles called member Denver Glenn who also rushed to the church.
When Crothersville-Vernon Township Fire Department firefighters arrived, the wraparound portion of the building was on fire, and the fire had spread into the sanctuary. Crothersville Police Department officers and Jackson County Sheriff's Department deputies helped block Armstrong Street or U.S. 31 near the church while firefighters worked the scene. Jackson County Emergency Medical Services personnel also responded.
The church, built in 1975, was destroyed by the fire.
Fire Chief Charles Densford says the cause remains under investigation, and the state fire marshal was alerted to the blaze because it involved a church.
Six fire departments battled the blaze - Crothersville-Vernon, Jackson-Washington, Grassy Fork and Brownstown in Jackson County along with Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department in Austin and Scottsburg Fire Department.
Congregation members prayed for safety of the firefighters and brought food and water to the scene.
Church officials say it is heartbreaking, but plan to rebuild.
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