Fire Disrupts Sunday Service

Pastor Robert T. Johnson kneels in prayer as flames erupt through the front of the church.

(CAMERON)  A fire believed to be electrical in nature, disrupted the Sunday morning services at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Cameron.  According to members of the congregation, the lights went out during a worship song, and a member went to the front of the church to check on the breaker box when he realized the building was on fire.  All members of the congregation exited the building unharmed.  The fire apparently started in the attic above the men's restroom where the breaker box is located.  Quick response by the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department kept the fire from spreading throughout the sanctuary of the frame structure, however the front of the church sustained extensive fire, heat and smoke damage. 

The front of the church sustained extensive fire, smoke and water damage.

Pastor Robert T. Johnson kneels kneels in prayer at curbside.

Members of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church congregation gather in prayer across the street as firemen (below) battle to contain the fire.