At 10:19 am a driver with the OnStar system alerted the Hernando County Fire Department of smoke emanating from Lake Lindsey United Methodist Church on 476, Lake Lindsey Road. The Fire Department arrived 5 minutes later at 10:24am. In total, trucks from multiple stations brought 10,000 gallons of water, but fortunately not that much was needed. The Fire Department was able to contain the fire quickly and did not reach beyond the sanctuary.
Chris Sloane, Battalion Chief of Hernando County Fire Rescue stated that the church suffered no structural damage, but there will be considerable clean up from smoke and water damage. There were also broken windows. He also stated that since this incident is a church fire it must be investigated by the State Fire Marshall and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
Rhonda Lillie, a member of Lake Lindsey United Methodist, described the phone call she got from her Preacher this morning, “ We were fixin to walk out the door to come to church when he called us… we have so few people who come here… I said I bet the Preacher’s calling to see if we were going to be there this morning because it’s such a little church.” The Preacher’s phone call was a little different this time. She has been a member of the church since her father brought her 65 years ago as an infant.
The clean-up may take some time, but God protected this small church today from major damage.
