A fire destroyed a West Baltimore church Tuesday after witnesses said lightning struck the steeple.
Three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries as they ran from falling debris from the steeple of the First Mount Olive Free Will Baptist Church at 811 W. Saratoga St., Baltimore Fire Department Chief William Goodwin said.
“We have some witnesses from the neighborhood who say they actually saw lightning strike the steeple,” Goodwin said. “It?s an old-style church with a large steeple. Once the fire involves the steeple, it?s a total loss of the building.”
The blaze broke out about 3 p.m. About 15 staff members were able to flee the 3,000-member church unharmed, said Breahna Brown, the daughter of Bishop Oscar Brown, the head of the church.
“It?s still a shock to find out it?s our church that?s burning. I grew up in this church,” Brown said. “I?m happy everybody got out safe.
“I guess it?s God?s way of telling us we need a new building.”
About 150 firefighters responded to the scene but had not brought the blaze under control by 6 p.m., though Goodwin said he did not expect the flames to spread any farther.
Firefighters were able to save all the building?s stained-glass windows.
“People might ask, ?Why?? ” Goodwin said. “But the church community really wants to rebuild.”
At the scene, Mayor Sheila Dixon called the church?s destruction “a tragedy.”
“We have removed seniors to another area to make sure they will not be harmed by the smoke,” she said. “This church has been a cornerstone in this community for so many years.”
Neighbors and churchgoers gathered in the neighborhood to watch the smoke and flames.
“It?s a good church,” said neighbor Diondre Hammett, 11. “Ihope they fix it up quick.”
