2 buildings damaged in church fire along Essie McIntyre Boulevard

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire Department crews responded to a blaze Tuesday afternoon at a church at Essie McIntyre Boulevard and Meadow Street.

The fire at Fellowship Baptist Church didn’t injure anyone but damaged two buildings.

It broke out around 4 p.m. in a light-colored concrete-block storage building.

The back part of a building burned, with smoke pouring out a window, blackening the area around the opening.

“Upon arrival, those crews witness smoke and flames coming through the front door on the right side,” said Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden.

The heat from the flames melted and warped the gray vinyl siding of a nearby building that was being renovated to serve as a fellowship hall.

Pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Augusta, Morris Jones, said: “I’m thankful. I’m grateful that it was contained and it didn’t do more damage. I was at work and got that, that notification and saw that fire and said, ‘Wow.’ I initially called the fire department, and police department and just went into prayer because the last thing I wanted was for someone to get hurt.”

The goals of the church will remain the same moving past the flames.

“The future of this building is going to be a fellowship resource center. We’re going to use it for the children of this community and feed the community like we use it now. Hopefully, we make a difference. In this neighborhood,” said Jones.

According to Richmond County dispatchers, the fire was first reported at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses reported large flames in the area around 4:10 p.m.

About eight firetrucks responded.

Burden said the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Jones wants his congregation and community to know they’ll rise from the ashes.

“God is still in control. We know things are gonna happen, but as long as we trust God, everything to work out,” said Jones. “Continue to trust God, pray and see what God does next because He’s gonna do some powerful things in this neighborhood. We just got to be ready to position so when he acts we can move on time.”

The main worship area was untouched by the flames, so church services there would go on as normal.

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