As our church council was deliberating at their meeting this afternoon, a neighbor, Les Martin, burst in asking us to move cars and announcing that there was a brush fire behind our church. He had already called 911.
The building on the left in the picture is the St. Pauly clothing donation shed but the church is on the right, maybe 20-30 feet behind the camera.
Most people at the meeting went immediately to the parking lot to move cars away from the rear of the church. Three stayed behind to pray, then also went out. We formed a bucket brigade using large kitchen pots to put out the fire which was spreading in the leaves of the hedgerow that winds south from the Southeast corner of our fellowship hall. The dead stump was also on fire inside. The picture above was taken when the bucket brigade had extinguished visible flame and before the firemen arrived.
The East Granby firemen arrived quickly with two trucks. They tore the stump apart and thoroughly doused all the smoking hot spots. The picture below shows three members working to be sure that the fire is completely out. The cause of the fire is unknown.
We are thankful to God that there was no damage and thankful for our alert neighbor, Mr. Martin, who spotted the fire. There was plenty of brush and in just a few more minutes the fire could have become extremely dangerous to our church. We are also very thankful to God that it happened when we were having a meeting there so we could form a bucket brigade and fight the fire until the firemen could arrive. We only have an afternoon Sunday council session once a quarter.
I remember the day you came to be with us as our place of work burned. We will always remember the comfort you gave us. You are one of God’s best. God bless you, your brother & sister in Christ,