BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — A fire broke out overnight at Cornerstone Worship Center, a church and day care center in Cartersville. The building was left in ruins.
The church is on Old Mill Road, where Cartersville Fire Department firefighters battled the flames for five hours Thursday night, according to a City of Cartersville spokesperson.
According to fire officials, multiple calls were received about the fire, and when crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames pouring from the church's roof. The building was empty at the time, and no injuries have been reported.
Pastor Jeff Baer believes the center was struck by lightning. He's now worried for his staff and students.
"Close to 70 children; we've got teachers, directors, and cooks and all of that now needs to be relocated or found somewhere else," Baer said.
A photo shows the extensive damage at the location.
Baer said only the cross and steeple remain.
"The memories, lots of memories got burnt through pictures and records that can't be replaced. Our backup is melted," Baer said.
Now, parents like Sarah Streeter are scrambling to find childcare. She said those at Class Act Childcare were like a second parent for her son, five days a week while she works from home.
"I moved from a different town to be closer for the day care because I did not want to move my child," Streeter said.
Streeter's 2-year-old son, Kohen, has been at the day care since he was 8 months old. Seeing the damage at the church brought her to tears.
"This is devastating," Streeter said.
Streeter said finding a new day care in August is not going to be easy.
"A lot of places are at full capacity," Streeter said. "So, even if they wanted to, they can't any more kids."
Baer said he's already feeling the community's support. Nearby churches have already offered a space for his members and staff to meet.
"I believe that what the enemy intended for evil that my God will turn into good, like He said. So, I'm only looking at the good," Baer said.
And when it comes to the future of the church, he believes God ordered his steps for a new future that will rise from the ashes.
"I see a nice, new shiny building that will embrace anybody who wants to come," Baer said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Firefighters confirmed they were busy throughout the night responding to several weather-related incidents.
The Cornerstone Worship Center community asks for prayers for their congregation and the emergency responders who worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. You can support their online fundraiser here.