CRESTVIEW — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Wednesday night fire that destroyed a church on Eighth Avenue.
Firefighters were called to Full Gospel Tabernacle Church at 7:05 p.m. after reports of smoke coming from the south and west sides of the building were called in. The fire strengthened after they arrived and put them on the defensive.
“They made entry, but the fire got stronger,” Jon Riedel, battalion chief for the Crestview Fire Department, said Thursday. “Crews have been there all night.”
Firefighters from North Okaloosa, Holt, Eglin Air Force Base, Dorcas and Baker helped keep the fire contained to the church building. Riedel said no other structures were threatened.
Crews fought the blaze until 1 a.m. Thursday. A new shift went to the scene at 7 a.m. to check for hot spots and hazardous areas.
The building was destroyed. Damage was estimated at $400,000.
No one was injured.
The Rev. E. H. Haddock, chairman of the Living Word of Faith Fellowship that oversees Full Gospel Tabernacle, said church officials are not certain what they will do, but the congregation of about 50 will have a place to worship Sunday morning.
“They’re working with another church so they will have somewhere to be,” Haddock said.
He said he was shocked when he heard the church that had been open for 32 years was gone.
“I just couldn’t hardly believe it,” he said. “Right now I don’t know if we’re going to rebuild or not. I can say that it’s a loss to the congregation.”
