DELTONA, Fla. — The Trinity Assembly of God’s preschool facility on Elkcam Boulevard and Sylvia Drive in Deltona caught fire Monday night, officials said.
The members of the Deltona church said they have a big rebuilding project on their hands Tuesday.
Officials said the original sanctuary for the church is likely a total loss, after it caught fire just hours after the toddlers who attend preschool there left for the day.
"It's a sad time because we don't want to see anything like this happen, but the positive is God will make something even better in its place," said church member David Schmidt.
Firefighters said they were called to the scene by a group of men who had been in a prayer meeting that moved to the parking lot as the flames threatened the new sanctuary building next door.
"That was one of our big concerns was the fire spreading, because of the fact where this building is compared to the main sanctuary building," said Deputy Chief Robert Rogers of the Deltona Fire Rescue.
Firefighters worked to keep the flames from spreading to the new sancutary.
Authorities said one firefighter suffered some minor burns, but no one else was injured.
The cause of the fire is not confirmed, but fire officials said it's very likely a thunderstorm spawned a lightning strike that brought down the 35-year-old building.
"Naturally, it could have been a disaster beyond compare when you think of all the kids that could have been in there," said Rogers.
Workers arrived early to assess the damage and plan for the future. The children's classrooms will be moved to the larger school building on the same property.
The school's principal said that they have enough space in other buildings to handle the preschool children for now, but they might have to bring protables in when the regular school year begins in the fall.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating.