Church Fire Like "Losing A Family Member"

    Several people have heavy hearts in Bradley County tonight after an historical church burns down. Smoke billowed through the early morning country sky off Bates Pike.

    A raging fire gutted the 77 year old original sanctuary of Thompson Springs Baptist Church.Sunday School classrooms and the fellowship hall were also destroyed.

   The A-T-F and state bomb and arson joined forces with local investigators. They know the fire started near the back portion of the original sanctuary, but how remains under investigation. One member told us losing this church was like losing a family member.

   But Paul Hawkins and others found great hope in the new building that was saved. "That building there will allow us to come back stronger than we were before. That's what I'm looking for."

    Pastor Joe White says the church will have services somewhere Sunday. It is standard practice for federal agents to investigate any church fire.

    Church members have supported each other and found it from strangers. One church in Smyrna, Tennessee offered supplies to the church to continue services. As soon as NewsChannel 9 learns more about the cause of this fire we will pass it along.