Current:Home > MarketsLos Angeles church destroyed in fire ahead of Christmas celebrations-InfoLens
Los Angeles church destroyed in fire ahead of Christmas celebrations
View Date:2024-12-23 12:52:46
A church in Los Angeles County was destroyed in a large fire early Sunday, just hours before community members planned to gather for Christmas celebrations.
Firefighters arrived at Victory Outreach church in Pomona, California, at 2:47 a.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Responding fire department units arrived at the scene and saw a massive fire with smoke billowing from the church.
"As some of you might have heard, this morning our church building caught on fire and it was redeemed a total loss," the church, which was built in 1981, said in social media posts. "Please join us in prayer for our pastors and our church."
A fire department spokesperson told television station KABC firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack of the fire when they arrived. After about 20 minutes, the fire expanded and the roof the church began to collapse, KABC reported.
No injuries were reported, according to the fire department. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The church said its planned Sunday celebrations, including a morning service and a Christmas play, were postponed. The church still plans to hold its toy giveaway and give away hundreds of toys to local children at 5 p.m. Sunday with the help of local firefighters.
The Rev. Robert Garcia told television station KTLA 500 people registered for the church’s planned celebration.
“It’s a tough morning for us, because today we were getting ready to have our outreach for the whole community,” he said.
A GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds to rebuild the church.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department and Victory Outreach church did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's requests for comment.
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (24796)
Related
- NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances
- As the jury deliberates Elizabeth Holmes' fate, experts say 'fraud is complicated'
- RHONJ's Melissa Gorga Accuses Luis Ruelas of Manipulating Teresa Giudice
- Moonbin, member of K-pop group Astro, dies at age 25
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- A look at King Charles III's car collection, valued at $15 million
- Andy Cohen Teases Bombshell Vanderpump Rules Episode in Wake of Tom Sandoval Scandal
- My Holy Grail NudeStix Highlighter Is 50% Off Today Only: Here's Why You Need to Stock Up
- Incredible animal moments: Watch farmer miraculously revive ailing chick, doctor saves shelter dogs
- Facebook just had its worst day ever on Wall Street
Ranking
- Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House
- Ted Lasso Season 3 Premiere Reveals a New Heartbreak for Jason Sudeikis’ Coach Character
- Women Tell All: All of the Most Shocking Moments from The Bachelor’s Big Reunion
- See the Everything Everywhere All at Once Cast Reunite in Teaser for New Disney+ Series
- Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
- Fire in Beijing hospital kills at least 21, forces dozens to escape from windows
- The Biggest Bombshells From Paris Hilton's New Memoir
- Tesla disables video games on center touch screens in moving cars
Recommendation
-
Officer injured at Ferguson protest shows improvement, transferred to rehab
-
Meta is reversing policy that kept Kyle Rittenhouse from Facebook and Instagram
-
Ellen Ochoa's Extraordinary NASA Career
-
'Halo Infinite' wows on both single and multiplayer — but needs more legacy features
-
Channing Tatum Drops Shirtless Selfie After Zoë Kravitz Breakup
-
Facebook, Google and Twitter limit ads over Russia's invasion of Ukraine
-
The Bear Teaser Reveals When Season 2 Will Open for Business
-
Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Korres, Nudestix, Belif, and More