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THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at 101 S. Walnut, was destroyed in an early Tuesday morning fire. Firefighters from Newkirk, Ponca City, Kildare, and Peckham battled the blaze. There were no injuries reported in the fire.
Fire Destroys Methodist Church
Historic Landmark Lost In Early Morning Blaze
by Scott Cloud
The 105 year old First United Methodist Church, located at 101 S. Walnut, burned early Tuesday morning, resulting in a total loss of the historic Newkirk landmark.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation from the State Fire Marshall and the Newkirk Fire Department. The preliminary investigation from the Newkirk Fire Department said that faulty wiring from the church foyer may have caused the early morning fire.
There were no injuries reported from the blaze.
According to Newkirk Fire Chief Jerry Evans, the call came at 3:56 a.m. when Newkirk Police reported smoke from the church.
Evans said that upon arriving at the scene, the main structure of the First United Methodist Church was on fire.
"The fire was in the roof and was totally involved," Evans said at a Tuesday morning press conference. "The main building of the church was a total loss. The new fellowship hall had water damage but was saved."
Area departments responding included Newkirk, Ponca City, Kildare, and Peckham. Ponca City provided three trucks including a ladder truck. Kildare provided two trucks while Peckham provided one to aid the Newkirk Fire Department in the blaze.
According to Evans, the Newkirk Fire Department attempted an interior attack on the blaze but the flames and smoke were too intense.
"There was so much debris from the basement of the church that it just wasn't safe to make an interior attack," Evans said. "From that point, we decided to go defensive and try to make sure the fire did not spread to the other buildings. We set up a perimeter on the south side to make sure the fire did not spread to the fellowship hall."
The new fellowship hall, currently under construction did suffer from some water and slight smoke damage.
"There just wasn't anyway to save the building," Evans said.
"We tried but the interior was just too involved."
Newkirk City Manager Harold Harris said the city turned off electrical power for approximately three hours for fear of a transformer issue in the area.
"I know that we inconvenienced some folks in that area," Harris said. "But under the circumstances it was the best decision to keep the area safe."
Harris said he was concerned a transformer in the area might blow.
Both Evans and Harris were appreciative of the area fire departments for their help.
"I want to thank Ponca City, Peckham, and Kildare for their efforts in a tough situation," Evans said. "They were right here willing to help and I can't say enough about their support."
The Red Cross also came from Ponca City providing coffee and sandwiches for the fireman.
Roy Neal and Donna Glaser arrived from the Red Cross at 7 a.m. from Ponca City with food for the fireman.
"I appreciate the Red Cross for their response," Evans said. "They were right here to help in the emergency."
Neal, a former Ponca City fireman, said he was glad to help.
"I am glad we could help," he said. "As a fireman, I know they appreciate what services we can provide."

THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at 101 S. Walnut, was destroyed in an early Tuesday morning fire. Firefighters from Newkirk, Ponca City, Kildare, and Peckham battled the blaze. There were no injuries reported in the fire.
Fire Destroys Methodist Church
Historic Landmark Lost In Early Morning Blaze
by Scott Cloud
The 105 year old First United Methodist Church, located at 101 S. Walnut, burned early Tuesday morning, resulting in a total loss of the historic Newkirk landmark.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation from the State Fire Marshall and the Newkirk Fire Department. The preliminary investigation from the Newkirk Fire Department said that faulty wiring from the church foyer may have caused the early morning fire.
There were no injuries reported from the blaze.
According to Newkirk Fire Chief Jerry Evans, the call came at 3:56 a.m. when Newkirk Police reported smoke from the church.
Evans said that upon arriving at the scene, the main structure of the First United Methodist Church was on fire.
"The fire was in the roof and was totally involved," Evans said at a Tuesday morning press conference. "The main building of the church was a total loss. The new fellowship hall had water damage but was saved."
Area departments responding included Newkirk, Ponca City, Kildare, and Peckham. Ponca City provided three trucks including a ladder truck. Kildare provided two trucks while Peckham provided one to aid the Newkirk Fire Department in the blaze.
According to Evans, the Newkirk Fire Department attempted an interior attack on the blaze but the flames and smoke were too intense.
"There was so much debris from the basement of the church that it just wasn't safe to make an interior attack," Evans said. "From that point, we decided to go defensive and try to make sure the fire did not spread to the other buildings. We set up a perimeter on the south side to make sure the fire did not spread to the fellowship hall."
The new fellowship hall, currently under construction did suffer from some water and slight smoke damage.
"There just wasn't anyway to save the building," Evans said.
"We tried but the interior was just too involved."
Newkirk City Manager Harold Harris said the city turned off electrical power for approximately three hours for fear of a transformer issue in the area.
"I know that we inconvenienced some folks in that area," Harris said. "But under the circumstances it was the best decision to keep the area safe."
Harris said he was concerned a transformer in the area might blow.
Both Evans and Harris were appreciative of the area fire departments for their help.
"I want to thank Ponca City, Peckham, and Kildare for their efforts in a tough situation," Evans said. "They were right here willing to help and I can't say enough about their support."
The Red Cross also came from Ponca City providing coffee and sandwiches for the fireman.
Roy Neal and Donna Glaser arrived from the Red Cross at 7 a.m. from Ponca City with food for the fireman.
"I appreciate the Red Cross for their response," Evans said. "They were right here to help in the emergency."
Neal, a former Ponca City fireman, said he was glad to help.
"I am glad we could help," he said. "As a fireman, I know they appreciate what services we can provide."

 

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