Fire rips church that was 'heartbeat' of city's Allentown section

Two Christian congregations and at least 40 Allentown senior citizens were left without a place to gather after a Thursday afternoon fire ripped through the roof of the church where they assemble.

The three-alarm blaze began at 4:14 p.m. while workers were on the roof of the church at 631 E. Warrington Ave., city public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler said.

Ripley & Sons Construction workers hired by Hilltop United Methodist Church told the Rev. Sue Hutchins that something caught fire while they were working on the roof, she said. Pittsburgh fire Chief Darryl Jones said he had also heard that, but an investigation into the fires cause is ongoing.

Its pretty devastating, but God is bigger than any fire, said Rev. Hutchins, whose congregation, along with Redeemer On The Mount, and the Allentown Senior Citizen Center are housed in the church.

She said she was working in her house next door when she saw burning material falling from the roof. She then helped ensure that those in the senior center were moved to safety and that the roofers were OK.

A third alarm was called by 5:06 p.m. in deference to firefighters safety in Thursdays steamy weather, Ms. Toler said.

Chief Jones said fires in churches can be very difficult to extinguish because of the vaulted ceilings.

Firefighters removed items from the sanctuary that they believed to be of sentimental value to the congregations, such as plaques and items used in religious services, the chief said.

Its a small step, considering the amount of damage, he said.

No one was injured in the fire, Ms. Toler said. A roofer hyperventilated but declined care, she said.

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Fire rips church that was 'heartbeat' of city's Allentown section