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Freeport church burns moments after service ends
FREEPORT - Firefighters spent several hours extinguishing a blaze that broke out at Damascus Pentecostal Ministries near Freeport Wednesday night.
No injuries were reported.
Freeport Fire Chief Bennett Greenslait said the fire was reported at 8:54 p.m., shortly after services ended, and a fire engine arrived within six minutes.
"Smoke and flames went through the roof of the old church, which is now the food bank, child care center and Sunday school," he said, adding that the youth-assembly building and main congregation hall are intact.
A total of 85 firefighters from Freeport, North Bay, Walton County and South Walton were involved in extinguishing the blaze, which Greenslait estimated caused $1.5 million in damage.
Crews are now at the scene to ensure there are no more hot spots.
Walton County Fire Chief Eddie Rivers said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and is being headed by the state fire marshal's office.
