Fire contained at Lumberton church

Scott Lawrence at KFDM in Beaumont Port Arthur
Firefighters in Lumberton have put out a fire at Fletcher Emanuel Church Alive in which smoke but few flames were visible, according to Fire Marshal Jim Philp, who says the fire destroyed a number of records in church offices, caused a floor to collapse, and led to smoke damage in the sanctuary and other parts of the building.

No one was hurt. Philp says the ATF is involved in the investigation because the fire occurred at a church.

A maintenance worker driving up to the church, 395 Fletcher Road in Lumberton, reported the fire shortly before 8 a.m. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins told KFDM News when he arrived he saw smoke coming from the office area above the sanctuary. Only wisps of white smoke were visible at 9 a.m., according to Sullins. He saw flames only briefly when firefighters vented the building after containing the fire. Firefighters had to break stained glass windows to allow the building to ventilate.

Firefighters called for a snorkel truck from Beaumont and backup from the Silsbee and Kountze Volunteer Fire Departments. Chief Sullins says although Beaumont firefighters were on the scene in a snorkel truck, they didn’t have to spray water on the fire.

“Smoke looks like it’s coming from the attic area and office area above the sanctuary but also in the lower part of the church,” Chief Sullins told KFDM News from the scene at about 8 a.m. “It hasn’t gotten worse since I arrived here 20 minutes ago. Fire hasn’t broken through the building.”

Sullins says the sanctuary and office are all part of one building. The smoke was visible above the sanctuary. There was no fire in a second building at the site.

The congregation was founded in 1910. The building that burned was constructed in 1980.