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Palm Bay church looking for community help after early-morning fire destroys annex

PALM BAY, Fla. — A Palm Bay congregation suffered a devastating loss Tuesday morning when a church annex went up in flames.

Truth Revealed International Ministries, located in the 2800 block of Palm Bay Road, used that building for both training and community outreach, including a cold weather shelter for the homeless.

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The senior pastor is hoping other members of the community will step up to help.

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The building is a loss, but there are still people in the community in need, and someone must fill the void.

Early Tuesday morning, Bishop Merton Clark arrived at the Truth Revealed International Ministries annex to see flames and smoke billowing through the roof of the building.

The building was reduced to a pile of smoldering rubble just a day before it was set to open as a cold weather shelter on any night 45 degrees or colder.

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Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of fire. Clark said he doesn’t know much insurance may cover, but he’s certain many in the community need help now.

“I need someone who owns a hotel to give me some rooms, lend me some rooms so these people can come off the streets when the temperatures drop below 45,” Clark said. “I’ve got little kids, I’ve got mothers that are hurting. We take care of those needs.”

Clark said the church will need resources to not only rebuild and reorganize but to go beyond because we’re going to build back better.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.