The Fountain of Life Center in New Jersey’s Florence Township has been almost completely destroyed by a devastating fire. Even though the fire did not cause any injury, the church building suffered heavy damage. Over 150 firefighters fought the flames that engulfed the Assemblies of God church, which was established almost 50 years ago. The cause of the fire has not been determined by investigators. Senior Pastor Russell Hodgins pointed out that even though it is a “devasting loss,” the church is actually not “brick and mortar” but “the body of believers.” Life Center Academy, a private school, is located on the campus of Fountain of Life. The school’s principal saw smoke around the sanctuary roof on the day of the fire and reported it to Pastor Hodgins.
Church Leaders reports:
A massive fire burned much of Fountain of Life Center in Florence Township, New Jersey, to the ground Monday night (March 20). More than 150 firefighters battled the blaze at the 1,000-member Assemblies of God church, which opened almost 50 years ago. Investigators are still trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.
Church members who gathered at the scene watched as the roof collapsed and smoke filled the skies. They shared their sorrow as well as determination to keep glorifying God.
“It’s a devastating loss,” Senior Pastor Russell Hodgins told reporters. “The church is not brick and mortar, the church is really the body of believers,” he added. “God will help us through this, and I believe the church will be stronger than ever.”
Fountain of Life Center: Firefighters Forced Into Defensive Mode
Although “firefighters did a tremendous job of trying to stop the fire interiorly,” according to fire-district administrator Robert Tharp, Fountain of Life Center’s size and the extent of the flames forced them to switch to “a defensive operation.”
Fountain of Life’s multi-building campus also features Life Center Academy, a private school with about 300 students in pre-K through grade 12. The principal, who was still at the school Monday evening, alerted Pastor Hodgins after seeing smoke near the sanctuary roof. A passerby and some kids playing basketball near the back of the church also reported the fire to officials.
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