Fire Destroys Southwest-Side Church
By Hasti Taghi

POSTED: Friday, January 1, 2010
UPDATED: 5:33 pm CST January 1, 2010

WATCH IT: Church Goes Up In Flames

HOUSTON — A New Year’s Eve fire destroyed a southwest Houston church, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

The Celestial Church of Christ on West Belfort held a service to ring in the new year on Thursday night.

Friday morning, parishioners stood in the cold outside the church looking at the destruction caused by a fire.

Members of the church attended the service that started at 10 p.m. and lasted until 3 a.m.

About five church members were still at the church at about 5 a.m. when the fire started, but no one knows what exactly happened.

“We’re shocked. We don’t know what happened. That’s it. We don’t know what happened,” said church member Victoria Talavi.

“It’s kind of painful,” explained another church member Elizabeth Giwa.

“We are family. This is our house, our father’s house, our family house,” said Talavi.

The early morning fire burned through much of the building, including part of the roof.

No one was hurt, but investigators said the building was a complete loss. Few things were saved from inside, including a cross which now serves as a symbol of hope for the congregation that lost its meeting place.

“At least we thank God we’re not burying anyone. We don’t have to plan any funerals for anybody,” said a church member who did not want to be identified.

Churchgoers said no matter what, the first step in the new year is rebuilding. They could not confirm to Local 2 whether they have insurance on the building.

The church’s Sunday service will continue for its approximately 300 church members, but officials are not sure where that worship will take place.

Fire officials said it looks like the fire was accidental, but they are investigating the cause.

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