VIDEO: Church damaged by fire in Boothwyn, Delaware County
BOOTHWYN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Fire heavily damaged a church in Boothwyn, Delaware County, but firefighters prevented the flames from destroying the building.
The flames broke out at 8:30 a.m. Monday in the 3200 block of Chichester Ave.
Action News viewer Danny Marcheski captured video of the scene just after firefighters arrived.
Flames are seen shooting from entrance and upper floors of the Memorial Presbyterian Church.
A second alarm was struck before crews were finally able to get the upper hand.
The fire happened, of course, just one day after the Easter holiday. Fire officials say it broke out in the back of the church.
"Heavy damage to the inside of the building," explained Chief Craig Small of the Ogden Fire Company. "All floors were heavily damaged."
Video shows some the damage to the inside. The walls are charred, and windows have been shattered, and the flames broke through the roof.
Despite this, Reverend Robert Kaufman said he's trying to remain positive.
"Yesterday was a day of resurrection and (now) we're looking forward to the resurrection of Memorial Presbyterian Church," he said.
Kaufman said he's thankful a cross that's close to his heart was retrieved by a firefighter.
"This is a processional cross," he said. "It's made with brass, then it's covered with gold plate, and it's a cross that's carried in before the clergy comes in. Every Sunday this cross is used."
Despite being damaged by flames, Kaufman said it still has a deep meaning.
"It's a reminder that we just finished observing Holy Week when Jesus had a difficult time, but yesterday we had the resurrection."
Crews were also able to salvage other items, including a basket full of Bibles, and wooden cross that emerged unscathed.
The good news is that no one was hurt in the fire, and that the church remains structurally sound.
So rebuilding is definitely a possibility.
Fire investigators remain on the scene working to determine what sparked the fire.
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