Firefighters take a break after combatting a fire that completely destroyed Morinville Baptist Church Saturday morning. – Stephen Dafoe Photo
By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – Firefighters were still pulling contents from the burned remains of Morinville Baptist Church Saturday morning after an early morning fire destroyed the church located at 431 Grandin Drive.
Ken Thiemann, Morinville Fire Department’s Deputy Chief of Operations (DCO) said the department received a call around 5:15 a.m. Saturday morning alerting them to the smell of smoke in the air. After coming to investigate himself, Morinville’s crews were dispatched to the scene, and Legal Fire Department was called in to assist.
“When we got here there was smoke from all the corners of the building,” Thiemann said Saturday morning. “We broke the door down and went in through the front door and got chased out.”
The DCO said he believes the fire had been smouldering for quite some time before crews arrived. Additional ventilation was created and hoses brought to the sides to combat the blaze.
“We ventilated the windows so the guys could go in there,” Thiemann said, adding flames shot out when the peak of the church was opened. “That’s where she went full force. We pulled the guys out.”
Thiemann said the cause of the fire is not yet known; however, it appears the fire began in the basement. From there it appears to have burned through the main floor and quickly risen to the roof of the building.
Water was waist deep in the basement of the destroyed church Saturday morning as firefighters were still work to control the fire. As of 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Thiemann was trying to organize water from a Town slew to flood the basement to the rafters in order to ensure any embers were completely out. Thiemann said a backhoe was to be brought in to tear down some walls to further assist fire operations.
Serge Lavalee, a deacon with Morinville Baptist Church was on the scene Saturday morning observing the destruction to his house of worship. Although saddened by the loss of the building, Lavalee was comforted that only material things were lost.
“No lives were lost,” Lavalee said. “It’s only a building. We’ll start again.”
Above left: A Morinville firefighter emerges from the burned ruins of Morinville Baptist Church with some books from inside the structure. – Stephen Dafoe Photo
It is a very sad day for sure. I remember how proud my dad was to be able to help in the building of the church.
I also have a niece that was Married in the Morinville Baptist Church.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all church members and to the Morinville community….
Debra
Thank You Volunteer Firefighters!
So sorry to hear of this! I go to the baptist church in Saskatoon that was burned down last month. This breaks my heart to hear of this. prayers go out to the members of the congregation and to the pastor and people of the town.
I am so sad to hear of the loss of Morinville Baptist Church to fire. I am confident that the congregation is strong and will rebuild. I will keep you all in my prayers. Maureen Kubinec MLA