Church gutted by flames; fireworks may be to blame

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) -- A church is now charred after flames engulfed the place of worship on the Fourth of July.

The fire broke out at The Pilgrim Evangelical Church along Northwest 119th Street and 12th Avenue, at around 4:30 p.m.

The pastor, Reverend James Pestuerin, said witnesses told him that a group of kids were on top of the church's roof, lighting fireworks, when the fire suddenly broke out. "Some kids were playing on the roof of the building, and [witnesses] told me [the kids were playing with] firecrackers," said Pestuerin. "They set the fire, and when the fire was set, they ran. That's what the neighbors told me."

The pastor said when he received the call about the fire, he rushed to the church, and could even see the flames before he arrived to the place of worship.

A 7News viewer sent video of firefighters as they battled the intense blaze. The fire was put out, but what remained was a total mess.

The church is now a complete loss. Pastor Pestuerin says the place of worship does not have insurance, but despite the fire, they will still have service on Sunday. "I believe we're going to be in the parking lot under a tent for now. That's what I guess we have to do," he said.

The church was anticipating celebrating several special events in the coming weeks. "We have a revival that's going to start in two weeks," Pestuerin said, "and the anniversary of the church, we were about to celebrate: 19 years of existence."

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the westbound lanes of 119th Street, near 12th Avenue, will be shut down until 10 a.m. Thursday.

The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but the state fire marshal is investigating.

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Source: http://www.wsvn.com/rss/read/news/articles/local/21007915228027/

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