Fire at historic church just outside Halifax a 'devastating' blow: member

Firefighters from five stations were called to extinguish a stubborn fire that caused extensive damage to a large, historic church east of Halifax on Wednesday.

The fire at St. Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, N.S., was reported at 9:41 a.m., police said.

No one was hurt, but the rear of the century-old, wooden building was left with a gaping, charred hole that reaches to the peak of the roof.

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Clarke said foul play is not suspected, but the provincial fire marshal's office has the option of investigating.

Some members of the church say the fire represents a devastating blow to the small community, which uses it as a gathering spot for services, choir recitals, plays, church suppers, Sunday school, bible study and other events.

Neighbour Lisa Smith said she has been attending services at the church since she was a girl.

"It's too important because there's the choir, there's funerals that go on, it's everything, it's our next home," she said.

"It's really devastating, it's heartbreaking and it's going to affect our community really bad because there are all kinds of things that go on in our church ... Our church is used all the time - it's every day."

Robert Tupper, who lives down the street with his wife and daughter, said the church is the "pillar of the community."

"It's got quite a history," he said "My faith is strong, and I go when I can."

Tupper said he's confident the church will be repaired.

"You can't be too upset about it," he said. "It's just something that happens and you get past it. You don't waste time lingering on that stuff."

Kevin Dean, a division commander with Halifax Fire, said the flames were difficult to extinguish because they were in a crawl space behind a false wall.

The church has been renovated many times in the past 100 years.

"They did have a bit of difficulty locating the fire," Dean told Global News. "There is significant damage to the church ... but it's salvageable. Because of where the fire was, the crews had to pull out some walls."

He said the cause remains under investigation.