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| Brenda Tate, left, and Lisa Biggs grieve as their church burns to the ground. |
| (CNN) -- Two Pittsburgh firefighters died after the bell tower of a historic church collapsed on them as they battled a blaze on Saturday, fire and church officials said. |
Thirty-one firefighters were injured, according to the city's fire department.
Several of the injuries were minor, but some were serious, Pittsburgh Fire Chief Peter Micheli said.
The fire that destroyed the 131-year-old Ebenezer Baptist Church was apparently ignited by an electrical problem, just as church members prepared for a Saturday morning prayer breakfast, according to Ebenezer's pastor, Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett.
The church was built in 1873 for a Presbyterian congregation but became Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1906 when it was was sold to that congregation, Winsett said.
There are 2,500 members in his congregation, Winsett said.
Winsett said the church was insured and would be rebuilt on the same spot. |
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FDNY SOLIDARITY! |
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Firefighters from FDNY show solidarity and sympathy for their fallen brothers from Pittsburg Fire Department by signing personalized banner. |
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| With portraits of dozens of fallen FDNY brothers lost on September 11th hanging on the wall in the background, these firefighters from Engine 28 sign the ArtAID Firefighters Angel banner for their Pittsburg brothers lost on March 13, 2004. |
Funds Established For Church Fire
A fund has been set up to help the firefighters’ families. If you want to make a donation, send them to PNC Bank, 1860 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
You can also donate money to help rebuild Ebenezer Baptist Church at that PNC Bank or at Citizens Bank Bloomfield Office at 4701 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. |
Donations to the IAFF Local union in any form will be accepted. If they are mailed, please use the address below, or they can be given directly to any Local 1 member. Make checks payable to "Memorial Fund"
Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 8468
Pittsburgh, PA 15220 |
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