FRANKLINVILLE N.C. (ACME NEWS) – Emergency crews and officials are on the scene in Franklinville investigating the cause of a structural collapse at Franklinville United Methodist Church.
Just before 9 p.m., firefighters from Franklinville Eastside and Westside Fire Departments, along with Randolph County EMS, Ash-Rand Rescue, and Randolph County Emergency Management, responded to the church which is located at 227 W Main St in Franklinville.
Fortunately, there were no injuries, as the building was unoccupied at the time. A nearby resident described hearing “what sounded like two trucks crashing,” then saw a wall of the church had collapsed before calling 911. “It’s shocking,” said the resident, “but we’re just relieved no one was hurt.”
Initially, a report of a fire from 9-1-1 callers triggered a commercial fire response from local departments, but arriving crews found no flames. Instead, a sizable portion of the building had collapsed.
Early reports from witnesses and callers indicate the collapse may have been caused by a gas explosion. Piedmont Natural Gas crews are on the scene working to shut off the gas in the area as a precaution, and S Main St is closed between Andrew Hunter Rd and Academy St.
Officials are still working to determine what role, if any, a gas leak played in the collapse.
Reverend Michele Hill, the church’s pastor, expressed relief amidst the damage, saying, “We’re so grateful that no one was here, and no one was hurt. It’s just a building, and it can be fixed.” Another church member remarked, “The real miracle was that no one was hurt.”
Emergency personnel are expected to stay on the scene overnight, securing the structure and assessing the risk of further collapse.
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