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July 24, 2008

Officials: HVAC unit sparked Feb. church fire

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — Officials suspect an aged heating, ventilating and air conditioning system sparked a fire that caused a preliminary estimated $2.5 million damage to a city church’s youth building.

On Feb. 7 the New Covenant United Methodist Church’s newly renovated youth facility caught on fire. The Edmond Fire Department, Edmond Emergency Management, Edmond Electric and EMSA responded to the call.

When firefighters arrived at 2700 S. Boulevard, heavy smoke was coming out of the second floor of the two-story brick building.

Because of intense heat, firefighters were unable to get to the “seat” of the fire. Firefighters took up defensive positions in front of the fire wall and kept the fire from entering the large two-story sanctuary.

No one was in the church when the fire started and no firefighters were injured.

Mark Welch, New Covenant’s communications director, said it is believed the fire is linked to the HVAC system, which is about 30 years old. The Fire Department’s Maj. Kelly Lewis said he too had heard that the cause was the HVAC system.

According to the EFD incident report, the $4.5 million building suffered $2.5 million worth of property loss. Welch said the final damage estimate is still being determined by the insurance company.

The fire uprooted several groups that had been using the structure. New Covenant youth programs and related ministries have been meeting in different locations across the campus, Welch said.

Future plans for relocating the youth programs have not been finalized, he said. The fire did not douse their enthusiasm and energy, he said.

Additionally, the Chinese International United Methodist Church had been using the building for its worship services.

Pastor Puong Lau said the congregation is sharing space in New Covenant’s building, where its 80-90 members meet for worship. The congregation has Wednesday evening prayer meetings and Friday night fellowship, Lau said.

Lau said the congregation is grateful to New Covenant for sharing the facility, but the Chinese congregation is longing to have more space.

marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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