LA VERGNE, Tenn. – The investigation remains ongoing into a fire which destroyed a Rutherford County church.
The offices of Life of Victory International Christian Ministries, along with the sanctuary which serves Faith Life, Amazing Grace Fellowship and Iglesia De Dios were destroyed as fire ripped through the building on Waldron Road in La Vergne.
Friday, investigators were back on the scene and working to determine the cause of the blaze.
Flames shot high into the sky as units from La Vergne and Smyrna came out to battle the fire. It was so massive crews, didn't leave until 30 minutes before daylight Friday morning.
“I made the call, this was a defensive fire; there was no interior attack because it was just too far gone,” said Mike Culberson, La Vergne Assistant Fire Chief. “Our main priority then was protecting the exposures. You see and the guys did a great job I’m so proud of them.”
Unfortunately the congregations affected no longer have a place for its members to call home.
They all shared the same sanctuary space. It's a blow to the area, as these churches have been pillars in the community, but there was just no saving it.
“I don’t think I’d ever seen a fire with the intensity that I saw when I came here. I was just completely in shock. I had never seen a fire that was that devastating,” said Brenda Bryant with Life of Victory Ministries.
The cause of the blaze likely will not be determined until sometime next week.
Previous Story:
