PHOENIX — Fire crews battled a fast-moving fire in a church complex in central Phoenix early Sunday morning.
Phoenix fire officials say they were called to the area of 19th Avenue and Indian School Road around 1:00 a.m. for the fire.
When firefighters arrived, they found flames coming out of the church's gym and it had spread into classrooms on the first and second floors.
Fire crews were able to stop the spread of the fire any further.
The sanctuary of the church was untouched, however, the fire tore through the church’s gym they call The Ark. Inside, they generally collected donations and helped people experiencing homelessness as a heat relief center. ABC15 covered the work the church has done in that very building in June.
“It still feels like a dream that we can’t wake up from,” said Miguel Perez, a pastor with the church.
His wife, Gladys, said they were in the middle of collecting donations to give back to students who just recently went back to school. Photos and videos inside the building showed charred clothes and shoes among other items that were ruined.
The church still held services later that Sunday morning, the Perez’s saying though this is devastating, they’re all working in unity to get back on their feet.
“People are asking how they can help and my response is just like, just check in on us. Pray for our hearts. That’s the thing I’m telling people the most,” Miguel said.
The Alhambra Beloved Community created a page on how people can help. Find more information here.
No one was injured in the fire.
The cause is not yet known, but it is being investigated.
