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.
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