Emergency crews responded to a fire at Coastal Christian Church on Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin early Wednesday morning. The blaze began in a dumpster and spread to the adjacent church building. No injuries were reported, but the church and its roof sustained extensive damage.
According to Bay News 9, the fire also affected Sweet Peas Preschool, housed within the church. Although most of the damage occurred in the sanctuary, the daycare will remain closed for at least Wednesday. Crews from Safety Harbor, Dunedin, East Lake Fire Rescue, Pinellas EMS, and the sheriff's office responded.
Firefighters Battle Flames Inside and Outside Dunedin Church
In the story shared in ABC Action News, early on Wednesday morning, a three-alarm fire that originated in a dumpster seriously damaged Dunedin's Coastal Christian Church. Firefighting units arrived at the location on Bayshore Boulevard after receiving a 911 call at about three in the morning. Although no injuries were reported, the building's roof and sanctuary sustained damage.
Michael Handoga, the deputy fire chief for Dunedin, verified that the fire started in a dumpster before moving to the church. The church's roof appears to have suffered severe damage and burn marks on the building's side. Significant damage was also done to the sanctuary. The church's Sweet Peas Preschool, housed there, sustained considerable water damage. The congregation is still strong and has plans to work through this trying moment as a group.
According to another source, ION TB, more smoke started to appear after the roof fire was put out, so more crews were requested to battle the fires on the first floor and inside the roof area. All firefighters switched to an external defensive attack at 3:35 in the morning, and water began to pour onto the roof from an aerial fire truck. Although the extent of the interior damage is still unknown, reports of apparent roof damage and significant water damage were made. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is among the law enforcement agencies looking into the fire's origin and circumstances. There were no alleged injuries in the incident.
Also Read: Easter Church Fire in Massachusetts Probed as Arson, FBI Investigates
Schizophrenic Man Confesses to Setting Fire to Mount Zion Church in 2021
In a recent story published in Christianity Daily, Benjamin Darrell Ruckel, 25, admitted to lighting Mount Zion Church on fire in 2021. According to Ruckel's attorney, he has schizophrenia, which commonly manifests in people in their mid-20s and can cause delusions. Ruckel is doing well while receiving treatment. The significance of safeguarding the right to freely practice one's faith and congregate in places of worship without fear of danger is highlighted by his case.
The FBI and the DOJ are the ones who are responsible in punishing those who were involved in the incident. The sentencing date has not yet been set, but Ruckel's violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act carries a potential 20-year jail sentence. The FBI's Columbus Field Office conducted the investigation, and trial lawyer Daniel E. Grunert and deputy criminal chief Brian Martinez are responsible for the prosecution. Ruckel was apprehended after being observed by law enforcement close to the Mount Zion Church fire scene, which was restricted to a single area of the building.
Related Article: Devastating Fire Engulfs Cambridge Church Just Hours After Easter Service: 6 Alarms Raised
