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Flames decimated a historic church in Wakefield Tuesday evening as firefighters struck seven alarms to call for additional help.
Witnesses said a bolt of lightning sparked the fire at the 150-year-old First Baptist Church, located on Lafayette Street.
“It struck and there was a brief bit of smoke,” said Kayla Kittredge.
Within a few minutes, the flames engulfed the building.
Photos and videos from the scene showed heavy smoke and flames emanating from the traditional white church and steeple. As the orange flames climbed the steeple, the ribs of the structure became visible.
“I just think of my fellow teachers, whose life’s work has been in that building with the kids from this community and the communities all around,” said Amy Burd, who teaches at the nursery school that operated from the church basement. “We’re all devastated.”
“It’s been important to us and our family for many years,” parishioner Chris Rankin said. “We come every Sunday.”
“We’re just devastated. It really hasn’t sunk in to all of us yet,” church moderator Melinda Parry said.
The congregation is coming together for support and trying to tally the loss.
“We lost a lot of memories, a lot of beautiful musical instruments,” Parry said.
One thing that was not lost to the fire is a painting of Jesus that hung in the church. The painting was salvaged from the rubble and appeared to be in good condition.
“While we lost our historic building from a lightning strike this week, we praise Jesus that our church community was kept safe,” the congregation wrote in a statement after the fire. “A very big thank you to the many firefighters who did their jobs with excellence, and to the outpouring of support from the community.”
Witnesses said they could see the smoke and flames from a neighboring town.
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