SALISBURY, N.C. — A three-alarm fire at a church was caused by a lightning strike on Sunday.
Firefighters responded to the fire at the Power Cross Ministry church on N Ellis Street in Salisbury on Sunday around 4:30 p.m., according to the Salisbury Fire Department.
Officials say the fire was caused by a lightning strike. Thunderstorms moved through the Charlotte area on Sunday.
Neighbors said they were rattled by the sound of the thunder before flames broke out.
“I heard and felt it. Looked over and saw sparks shoot up out of the roof somewhere and immediately the roof started smothering. There was fire coming out of the gutter so I call 911,” said Graham Corriher, who lives across from the building.
No injuries were reported from the fire.
Brenda Loflin said she is heartbroken to see the building where she once walked the halls back in the 1950s, destroyed. The property which has served as a school, and an administrative building is now home to a mentorship and ministry program for boys. It is described as a staple in the community.
"It’s just hard to believe so much history has gone up in flames, and it might not be repaired now," said Loflin. "I went to the school from first to seventh grade here and my dad was born in the 1900s and he went to school here. There's a lot of family history here."
Power Cross Ministry officials say they still plan to see members of the Salisbury church on Monday.
"A little fire won’t stop us from serving you guys," church officials wrote on Facebook. "Tonight is hard, but the morning is coming."
Fire officials say the building looks to be a total loss. They are expecting to keep a firetruck in the area overnight as they continue spraying hot spots.
The building that houses the Power Cross Ministry's Salisbury campus was built in 1935 and sits on the Ellis Street Graded School Historical District.
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