No injuries after flames, billowing smoke plow through Fort Myers church, authorities say
As churches across the world begin Lent— the days leading to the Christian churches holiest day of Good Friday and Easter — one Fort Myers church awoke to find their chapel in ashes.
No one suffered injuries after authorities say a fire destroyed a large portion Villas Wesleyan Church, 8400 Beacon Blvd.
South Trail Fire & Rescue, aided by Iona McGregor Fire District, responded to the blaze at 8:09 p.m. Tuesday. The church is at the intersection of Beacon Boulevard and Trailwinds Drive, and across from Villas Elementary School, 8385 Beacon Blvd.
The church wrote that they will gather 9 a.m. Thursday for cleanup and preparedness in the fellowship hall and gym."
"God is so good," the church wrote on its Facebook page. "We are thankful everyone is safe and no one was injured."
The blaze didn't visibly damage the school nor nearby homes.
Hours after the flames were extinguished for the blaze that damaged a large portion of the church's roof, the smell of smoke lingered in the area Wednesday afternoon. No flames were visible.
Caution tape surrounded the church and its parking lot. Services were canceled on site Ash Wednesday.
In a Wednesday morning Facebook statement, the church wrote that its fellowship hall, gym and parsonage are intact.
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Authorities said a caller reported smoke inside the church sanctuary as the smoke alarm echoed throughout the building.
The fire district said incoming fire units reported a column of smoke and flames.
Images shared by the fire district show billowing smoke covered the vast majority of the church's roof, even as firefighters unleashed hoses and battled the flames.
Crews made a fast interior search with command soon after switching all teams to defensive mode, fire officials said. The blaze caused heavy damage, visible from the outside.
Authorities are working with the local state fire marshal to determine the cause and origin.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fire destroys Fort Myers church, no one injured, authorities say
