TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) — An investigation is underway after a fire broke out at a church in Tulare.
It started before 6 am Monday at Family Baptist Church on Prosperity Avenue, west of Laspina Street.
Bright flames were seen coming from the top of the building, with smoke pouring out of the gutted roof.
Firefighters say the roof collapse caused them to focus on stopping the spread to the church’s office area.
Hours after the fire was first reported, Action News found crews still pouring water onto the smoking building.
A giant hole is visible where the roof was once intact.
We spoke to Senior Pastor Samuel Gray, who rushed to the church. He says the services will go on.
“We’ll still gather and worship, we’ll still continue to minister in English and Spanish as we have for the last couple years,” he said. “We will still continue to love people here. We’re still planning on things we do for the community. None of that will change.”
Firefighters say they were able to save much of the building from the fire, but the sanctuary is a total loss.
The cause is under investigation.
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