A 3-alarm fire destroyed the In His Presence Worship Center church in Millville around noon Saturday, putting several Christmas service events in jeopardy. It happened in the 200 block of East Broad Street.
The fire called out half a dozen nearby fire departments charged with the task of knocking down the flames that are believed to have originated in the top of the building.
Pastor David Ennis believes high winds may have blown a piece of metal flashing into some power lines near the steeple, starting the blaze and causing a transformer to explode. Fire investigators are checking into that possibility among others.
Power was also knocked out in the church and about two thousand other AC Electric customers in the area.
Ennis said between 20 and 25 people were inside the church at the time, preparing meals for the homeless and taking part in choir practice.
"We had a very big day planned here," Ennis said of the upcoming Christmas preparations.
Church members will meet at The Cornbread House banquet hall in nearby Bridgeton for the time being. Services will start there Sunday morning at 10am.
Fire officials are still looking for an official cause. No injuries were reported.
The church building is a landmark in Millville, dating back to the late 1800s.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
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Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
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Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:26:18 GMT
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.Police say the incident happened just before 11P.M. on May 19th on the 6000 block of Wister Street.The suspect
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:01:49 GMT
Kasey's bark may be worse than her bite. But Hamilton Township Police say the crook who tried to rob Draper Ellis late Thursday afternoon at his "May's Landing Auto Parts Store" didn't stick around
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Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:08:04 GMT
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:48 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:48:26 GMT
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:30:28 GMT
Ocean City is a fabulous family-friendly, shore town that is ready for a fabulous Summer season. From the relaxing beaches to the famous boardwalk, Ocean City is safe, clean and has some of the best food
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Friday, May 24 2013 4:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:40:06 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
