Flames damage Florala church

Published 9:46 pm Monday, May 11, 2009

Florala’s Westside Baptist Church was heavily damaged by a fire around lunch Saturday.

Eyewitness reports say two church members were doing routine grounds keeping when they heard a “pop” and smelled smoke shortly thereafter.

Preliminary indications from the state fire marshal suggest the cause was a quick burning electrical fire.

The church structure was declared a complete loss, but firefighters were able to stop the blaze from spreading to the fellowship hall and parsonage.

No one was injured in the blaze. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Daniels, said services will be held in the fellowship hall or on the church grounds until the church is rebuilt.