Church holds first gathering since fire

The Central City Baptist Church held their first gathering since the fire at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31. The event was in the parking lot at the corner of Franklin Street and Avenue E in Beaumont, across the street from the church.

“On behalf of our pastor, Jose Gutierrez, and our members, we are grateful for the warm comments and support expressed by the community in the aftermath of the July 25 fire,” said Dr. Jim Turnbo, Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Baptist Network. “While the fire has postponed original plans to reopen the church at this location it cannot stop the church group from serving this community.”

He added the gathering was an opportunity to pray for neighbors, seek the Lord together, and communicate clearly that “the people of this community remain on our hearts.”

Capt. Terence Simon of the Beaumont Fire Department reported the fire was caused by workers welding on an air conditioning unit on the day of the fire. He stated that workers were heating up copper pipes to weld them together. After the men left, the pipe remained hot and caused the wood to being smoldering.