The north end of the building gave firefighters a difficult time in extinguishing flames.
Church Burns in the Night, SODA, March 28, 2010 - Shortly after 10 pm on March 27, 2010, a fire was reported at the Oak Grove Church of Christ which is located about 6 miles east of Livingston on US-190 East. Volunteer firefighters from Livingston, Indian Springs, and Alabama Coushatta Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene along with Deputy Vance Berry of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Livingston Fire Marshal Mark Taylor, and Polk County Fire Marshal Jay Barbee. Smoke was literally billowing from one end of the roof to the other end in what appeared to be an attic fire. Flames shot out from a ventilation shaft at the north end of the church as the enclosed fire appeared to grow hotter by the minute. The exterior metal walls near the ventilator were starting to glow red as firemen struggled to get to the interior fire. According to Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran, the north end of the building appeared to be used as a storage area. The stubborn blaze burned for nearly an hour as firemen finally got the fire out. Firemen cut a hole in the roof of the building in order to get to the attic fire. Fortunately the church building was insured. According to Preacher Bill Yasko, Sunday morning services will still be held (but on the large concrete slab outside the church). The building was insured and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The scene was cleared shortly before 1 am.
Special thank you: Assignment Editor Stash Anderson, Assistant Editor Willie A. Openshaw
Deputy Vance Berry speaks with Church Preacher Bill Yasko of Oak Grove Church of Christ.
Flames are visible through a ventilation shaft at the north end of the building. The edges of the wall around the shaft began to glow red (glowing not visible due camera flash).
Firemen enter a burning building decked out in full protective clothing.
Smoke billowed out from end of the buliding to the other in what appeared to be an attic fire.
At times the smoke was so thick that it would make it difficult to see.
Livingston Fire Marshal Mark Taylor (left) and Fire Chief Corky Cochran.
Firemen cut a hole in the roof at the north end where the most stubborn flames were located.
Polk County Fire Marshal Jay Barbee (right) speaks with Church member Stephen Smith.
A weary fireman walks toward his truck after the fire was fully extinguished.
Preacher Bill Yasko talks to members of his flock as they witness the aftermath of the fire.
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