SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) — Crews battled a large fire at a church in Somerset Thursday afternoon.
According to Somerset-Pulaski County EMS, the fire started at Cornerstone Baptist Church on Clifty Street just off of Ogden Street.
The Somerset Fire Department says there was heavy smoke when they initially arrived on scene. They say that no one was hurt in the fire.
During efforts to control the fire, the roof of the building collapsed.
As of Thursday evening, officials say that 100% of the fire is contained.
In all, eight different departments were on scene and 75 personnel assisted in fighting the fire. Officials say that it's been a while since they've had a fire this large.
“There was moments when there wasn't even visibility to see the building because the smoke was so thick and so dark,” said Lauren Watson, a member of the church who arrived quickly after the fire began.
Firefighters say the fire started in the attic. They don’t yet know the cause.
More than a Baptist church, the building is also home to a Hispanic church, a soup kitchen, and homeschool co-op group Watson helps lead, she said. With 200 families, they usually meet Thursday.
“I'm so thankful we didn't have kids in the building today, this is one of our off days,” Watson said.
On top of everything, she sees a sign out of the fact this is the second disaster for their pastor Jamie Taylor. Just a few years ago, he lost his home in a fire.
“Just feels like they're making strides for the kingdom of god and Satan wants to attack that,” Watson said. “He wants to shut that down.”
Taylor said the big picture is that while forces do try and discourage God’s work “we’re not going to let it happen, we’re going to keep doing what god has taught us to do.”
