HMB Church destroyed by fire
Minister is located and informed of fire
Staff reporter
Rod Jost, Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church youth minister, has been the church leader since the church's minister, Bruce Porter, left town Sunday after services for a convention.
Attempts had been made to locate Porter by cell phone since the fire began Sunday, but were unsuccessful. Jost left a message at the hotel where he was to stay once arriving at his destination.
At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jost finally got the call he had been praying for.
"He (Pastor Bruce) said he had his cell phone on but the calls just weren't getting through," said Jost. "He said he was thankful no one got hurt. He knows there's a long road ahead of us to get things back to normal."
The minister is expected to return home Wednesday evening, if he can get a flight.
Since Sunday, members of the congregation and Hillsboro residents have kept a vigil at the fire scene of Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Some come on their breaks and lunch hours, just to absorb the recent events.
Disbelief and shock have made way for parishioners to begin the task of sorting and sifting through the rubble.
Volunteers began sorting what was not completely destroyed by fire, smoke, or water.
With smoke still billowing from the east end of the building, firefighters in full gear entered the west end of the former office building Tuesday and brought boxes and items to the waiting arms of helpers.
Items were taken to the former Vogt's IGA building, across the street west of the fire scene.
Due to the unstable walls, Jost said Wednesday no one will be allowed inside the structure, including firefighters.
"The building is very vulnerable and may collapse," said Jost.
At press time, the state fire marshal had not determined the cause of the multimillion dollar fire at the church, located at 104 S. Washington.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, stated Wednesday morning the necessary information had been gathered by the fire marshal's office. Determination of the fire is expected to be announced within a few days, he said.
Jost said by 12:30 p.m. Sunday, everyone was believed to be out of the buildings.
The fire was reported at 3:49 p.m. Sunday by members of the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus.
Jost and 30 youth from the congregation were attending the movie "The Passion of the Christ" when Jost received a call that the church was on fire.
"We already had a lot to talk about after watching the movie," said Jost. "This really added a lot for the youth to ponder and think about."
The fire started in the church sanctuary and rapidly engulfed the entire church building.
Ron Warkentin was walking by the church about 3:30 p.m. Sunday when he smelled smoke. He saw smoke coming from the chimney about the time firefighters arrived.
"I just thought the outside air conditioner was burning," Warkentin said. "It just seemed like a minor fire."
By early Sunday evening, the fire had spread to the adjoining Sunday school educational wing, causing loud popping noises as windows exploded from the heat and flames.
By Monday morning, the church and the south section of the educational wing were a total loss, with flames shooting up through the burned roof of the third building, which housed the church offices, the chapel, and church hall.
In a Monday evening press conference, Garrett stated the "cause is undetermined at this time."
The ATF, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms division of the federal government, was called to the scene.
"The present mandate is for the ATF to investigate all church fires," said Garrett.
Garrett thanked volunteers and agencies for their support.
Area fire departments were called and responded to the Sunday tragedy. Firefighters from Marion, Durham, Goessel, Peabody, county townships, Galva, Canton, McPherson, and Newton, and others arrived to battle the blaze.
"Plenty of hands responded," commented Garrett.
Fire crews strung hoses, end to end, for several blocks to make a chain of water from numerous fire hydrants to the church.
Traffic was diverted in a two to three-block radius around the scene to avoid running over the string of hoses.
More than one million gallons of water were used Sunday. Garrett said there was never an issue of a water shortage.
Between 35 and 40 residents were displaced because of the fire, due to electrical service being disconnected to their homes.
"Electrical service was restored by Monday morning," said Garrett.
As of Wednesday, several residents with homes located east of the church campus were still unable to return to their homes due to the instability of the walls of the charred structure.
In addition to the loss of the church, a home south of the church was severely damaged by fire.
The home belongs to Bev Harms. She said at this time she is not planning to rebuild.
Several other homes received smoke damage, including Chris Glanzer's home, south of Harms.
"Embers from the church damaged the roof," said Glanzer. He was waiting for information from his insurance company.
Jost is thankful to the Hillsboro and surrounding communities for their support.
"We're getting prayers from people all over the country," said Jost. He is thankful no one was injured.
Jost also is grateful to USD 410 and Tabor College.
"I was able to meet with the youth from our church Monday at the high school," said Jost. "They (youth) are very optimistic."
Churches and business have offered space, added Jost. "Everyone has been so gracious."
