DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County church is considered a “total loss” after a fire broke out on Tuesday night.
Fire officials say it appears that Redan United Methodist Church on S. Stone Mountain Lithonia Road was struck by lightning. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“My heart sank into my stomach. Seems like it was out of a movie. It didn’t seem real,” Pastor Kevin Days said. “I’m glad no one was in the building at the time of the lightning strike.”
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Firefighters were called out just after 9 p.m. and at one point found themselves in a dangerous situation.
The battalion chief says his crews got out before the building collapsed. No one was injured. Overnight, they stayed on the scene to check for hotspots.
Days said although the fire destroyed the church, he still plans to hold Sunday services and the congregation plans to rebuild what it lost.
“Just continue to pray just to continue to support your church and be faithful,” the pastor said.
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