BRANDON, Fla. -- A local community is heartbroken after a 2-alarm fire wiped out a Brandon Church Thursday night.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NEWS | The latest headlines from Hillsborough County
Hillsborough Fire responded to a call of a fire at the New Testament Church on Dew Bloom Road a little after 9:30 p.m.
Churchmembers looked on helplessly as the 2-alarm fire took crews about 20 minutes to get it under control.
"Stepping out the door and seeing it just go up, it was a shock," said church member Barbara Devine.
Now, on what was supposed to be the Holy Week, the roof has collapsed and the structure itself is left with nothing but ash and rubble.
The church's pastor, Kevin Wells, remained calm in the face of this untimely misfortune.
"I just feel like the church is the people more than the building," Wells said.
No one was badly hurt but crews at the scene treated one person for minor smoke-related injuries.
As for the cause of the fire, Wells said officials did not give a definitive update.
"They have not given us anything conclusive," Wells said. "Possibly an appliance or electrical."
As the community celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this Holy Week, they too know their church will rise again.
"What God has in store is going to be greater," Devine said. "I believe for this church."
The pastor is focusing on his flock, and not his temporary hardship.
"Be grateful, be thankful and keep your insurance paid up," Wells said.
Story developing, refresh for updates. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest.
