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Massive Fire Destroys Atmore Church (With Photo Gallery)
March 16, 2025
Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Atmore tell us they were looking forward to worship and a churchwide lunch on Sunday.
But the church on Horner Street was destroyed by a massive fire late Saturday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Preliminary information indicated the fire may have been sparked by a lightning strike during a heavy thunderstorm just before 11 p.m. Neighbors reported seeing multiple lighting strikes in the area before the fire.
The fire appeared to have started near where the church’s old sanctuary joins a fellowship hall and classrooms that were constructed after a tree fell into the old sanctuary in the days following Hurricane Ivan.
Despite a high-pressure water flow from a ladder truck, the massive fire quickly raced through about 160 feet of the attic of the building, with the steeple and cross crashing down into the flames (pictured top).
Dozens of firefighters from across the area responded to the fire, including the Atmore, Barnett Crossroads, Poarch Creek, Little Rock and Nokomis fire departments from Alabama, and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue, with additional personal from Florida. The Atmore Police Department and other agencies also responded to fire, located just over a block off Atmore’s Main Street.
Firefighters remained on scene into the early morning hours.
There was no word on any injuries.
The fire remains under investigation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The moment the steeple and cross collapsed into the flames Saturday night at First Presbyterian Church of Atmore. Pictured above and below: First destroyed the church, ripping through the attic. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Massive Fire Destroys Atmore Church (With Photo Gallery)”
@Larry. There was no late response, simply not true. Atmore Fire has just responded to a tree down on Lindberg Ave near the high school before the fire. So the station you reference would have been empty because it would have responded to the tree on the roadway.
Like someone else said…the fire raced through that attic. The FD could have had all units sitting in the parking lot and it would not have helped.
@Larry – I’m not sure where you are getting information on delayed response? Chances are, when that fire hit that 160 feet of attic space it was far ahead of the fire department if they were sitting in the front yard when it happened. Firewalls in the attic would have stopped it or at least slowed it down.
Bless all the firefighters, paramedics and other first responders and I’m glad there are no injuries reported. (Former firefighter/paramedic who got his start with Atmore Ambulance many years ago..)
I wonder if the stained glass windows survived, particularly the one in the pastor’s office.
My question is… Was the reason for the late response because the AFD station 2 blocks away was shut down and moved to the North side of the tracks? Who made that decision? Mayor ? All they could save was the basement, but could they have saved more if the station 2 blocks away was still active?
Hopefully all is well with people I haven’t heard of anyone getting hurt.
Mnon, lightning strikes equally on the just and u just!
So sorry to see this happen. I know many wonderful people that attend this church. This is a great loss to us all!
Bless their hearts and prayers to all.
Mother Nature has be truly devastating. With the Atmore community and allowing God to guide the hands and minds of the church, hopefully the building can be restored. The people make the church. As long as you have the fellowship, you can have church out in a field. Praising God that no lives were lost. When more than one come together……
The building is in ruins but the church still stands.
Terrible tragedy, and hopefully no one hurt. Great courage by our local first responders! Fighting fire in the middle of a terrible storm. Doesn’t get more difficult than that.
Prayers for all of First Presbyterian Church. It’s so sad to have this happen. May God give you many blessings and strength to overcome this devastation. Prayers for rebuilding .
It was Gods will.
Very sad news on what is supposed to be a beautiful Sunday morning today. Churches are where extended families meet to feel happy about life each week. These members will be prayed for now and donations to rebuild will be also be made.