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Crews Battle Church Fire in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE — Fire caused major damage at a church in Selinsgrove and yet its members gather Tuesday morning to give thanks. Members of the Christ United ...

SELINSGROVE -- Fire caused major damage at a church in Selinsgrove and yet its members gather Tuesday morning to give thanks.

Members of the Christ United Methodist Church vow to continue services after a fire last night badly damaged their place of worship in Selinsgrove.

Some of the church members gathered Tuesday morning in the parking lot. The group stood in a circle, held hands, prayed and sang songs. They thanked firefighters and said they are happy no one was hurt.

The first alarm at Christ United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove came in around 10 p.m. Monday, quickly followed by a second.

Pat O'Brien was there for both, and there for another look in the morning. He's been attending services at the church on Mill and Eighth for about seven years.

"It does break your heart to see what's happening, when you're defenseless. You can't do anything about it. The firefighters are doing everything they can," O'Brien said.

Don Weirick was one of those firefighters. He's the chief in Selinsgrove, and one of dozens who battled the flames.

"It started on the first floor, which is steps behind us, first room in, at the steps," said Chief Weirick. "(It's an) office area, common area."

According to the chief, one firefighter suffered a wrist injury, and he is expected to recover.

Weirick says it was tough fire to fight with flames hidden in the ceiling and a collapsing floor.

It seems like every square inch of the building was affected by the fire. If it didn't burn or get swamped by the water to put it out, it was filled with smoke. That includes these baby bottles that were filled with change by congregation members, to be used to help children and new mothers.

The sanctuary has smoke damage. The same goes for the Agapeland Day Care Center inside, used by about 75 youngsters.

"We're a strong church and the church is going to come together and we'll believe we'll move forward from here," O'Brien added.

In spite of it all, the Christ United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove vows to go on.

The pastor says the church owns land nearby just off Route 522, and will most likely worship in a pavilion there for the time being.

The church was planning to rebuild on that site and the pastor says now that process will speed up.

The members prayed for the safety of firefighters as well as to be able to get over the loss of their church.

"We know that God will be with us, the Holy Spirit will guide us. We will take this one set at a time as people pray in the resurrection of Christ," said Pastor Ryan Gephart.

"I know this community is going to pull together and if the church can be rebuilt, something is going to happen to this building that's good," added Cindy Myers of Selinsgrove.

On Tuesday afternoon, a state police fire marshal ruled the fire accidental, caused by an electric problem in the break room on the first floor.

SNY FIRE 5-4-15

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