Fire damages Maryland church
The Cambridge, Maryland, Church of the Nazarene was damaged by a three-alarm electrical fire Wednesday evening. No one was injured.
Pastor Richard Prahl was one of five people in the building that night.
"At 6:30 we were setting up for our Wednesday night church service," Prahl told WBOC. "We had some problems with the lights in one of the school rooms we use."
Shortly after, the classroom went up in flames. All five people were able to evacuate safely as firefighters from 14 volunteer fire departments in four counties responded to the fire.
Prahl stood outside and watched as the firefighters battled the blaze.
"Our steeple has a light in it, and when that light came on, it was like a sign for me saying God's still in charge of this," he said. "This is brick and mortar, wood, but no one got hurt, so we've been blessed by that."
Jamie McNeal of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department told The Star Democrat the firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread to the sanctuary. Pastor Richard Prahl confirmed there is smoke and water damage in the sanctuary and said it would be at least a month before the congregation could meet there again.
"Please pray for our congregation," Prahl told NCN News.
The church is currently working with the insurance company to determine next steps. Sunday service will be held on the church grounds and a local Seventh Day Advent church has offered its facility for future activities.
WMDT reported the classroom, which was not equipped with sprinklers, was destroyed.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office estimated damage at $600,000.
For a video from WBOC, click here.