Victory Church faces a rebuild after a blaze destroyed the building. The fire seems to have stayed in the kitchen area, but how the fire started in still unknown.
The fire marshal will be in contact with Pastor Ed Herald today, Jan. 11 about the cause and this morning there were fire investigators on scene. Herald said is would be likely the building would have to be leveled.
No injuries were reported.
“They weren’t even in the area when the fire was presumed to start. There were others in the building earlier. We don’t know at this point the fire marshal made a determination of the origin of the fire,” said Herald. “We have a feeling we know the area where [the fire] started; it was in the kitchen area. I live about 20 minutes from here, when I looked at the security cameras there was no smoke that I could see, but by the time I got halfway here I logged on to the security cameras and the sanctuary at that point was engulfed in smoke. At that point we had a major situation.”
Cities was on the scene this morning and the damage was severe.
The top floor had caved in, this was where the Church’s youth group was held. Beth Herald said she wouldn’t be surprised if the cause was never determined because there was just so much damage. The damage beyond the firewall was not as severe, the drum set was shockingly still standing. However amidst the sopping ceilings and floors were burn holes.
“I know that the Illinois State Fire Marshal was called to investigate (as is standard), but I don’t have any further information on it. Normal FD did send our Tower Ladder and Battalion Chief to the scene to assist and they are still there,” said Matt Swaney.
“This early in the game we don’t have a list of needs. That will arise if things unfold,” said Herald. “My understanding was last night about 3 a.m. Downs fire department was called again to knock down a couple of flames. I first want to say a big thank you to the firemen, they really did the best they could to salvage the building.”
Herald said he was just grateful and so thankful that no one was hurt.
“I told the fire marshal and the chief of the fire department not to let anyone get hurt and strip the building. We will rise from the ashes of this,” said Herald. “I just want to also thank all the pastors in the community. I can’t even count all the number of calls that we received from local churches. I lost count.”
About 20 churches in the area have reached out and opened their sanctuaries to Victory Church’s congregation.
“Such a blessing to be in a town where when disaster strikes the faith-based community rises to the occasion. And they certainly did at this point. As I tell my congregation often, this is just a building. It’s really not the church, the church is the people. We are the ones who carry the light of Jesus’s love,” said Herald.
It’s a 100% loss, but Herald said there is insurance. The elders of the church and leaders are meeting at a conference room at the Doubletree today to discuss short term plans. The church’s origins were humble. Only 13 people started Victory Church in a small room back in February 1999.
Photo courtesy Victory Church.
July 1999: With a congregation of 40 people, Victory makes the move to a church building located on South Clinton Street.
“We’ve got plenty of insurance to recover what I believe is the need to rebuild. I spoke to my agent and adjuster yesterday. They are willing and able and ready to do whatever needs done to get this back on track and get us building in the right direction . As far as a meeting, we haven’t determined a location yet. I’ve literally had probably fifteen to twenty maybe even higher invitations from churches for our congregation to go for a Sunday afternoon service or Saturday service. Whatever we need, their doors are open. It’s just been really an amazing outpouring of support from pastors. I literally am overwhelmed, I just got another call this morning. St. John’s church is not far from here, offering up their building for us to use,” said Herald.
Jarrod and Beth, Ed Herald’s family, were at the scene this morning assessing the damage.
