A Church in Newton was destroyed by fire early Saturday evening, and a junior firefighter underwent hospital treatment after he was overcome by heat. It happened shortly before 6:00 at the First Assembly of God Church on Kaufman Street.
Newton Fire Department Captain Melanie Smith said two ladies were in the building when they began hearing popping sounds. She said they went outside and saw smoke coming from the top of the building.
Captain Smith said Newton Junior Firefighter Cameron Kelley, who she believed to be 16 or 17 years of age, experienced heat exhaustion and he was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.
Newton firefighters were assisted by the Burkeville, East End, Bon Wier, and Trout Creek Fire Departments.
After the majority of the fire was extinguished, small fires continued to burn in the rubble. They were being fed by a ruptured natural gas line. Firefighters also saved a house next door when the flames spread across grass to the edge of the house and the heat of the blaze caused the vinyl siding on the house to melt.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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