Southern Indiana Community Rallies Together After Historic Church Goes Up in Flames

Captain Beth Hale has been responding to fire calls from dispatch for 25 years. Monday was the first time that she actually called in a fire, and arrived on-scene at the same time.

First of all, I have to tell you how amazing that Beth is. I've known her since...Well, let's just say she wasn't a firefighter when we met. She has risen through the ranks of a career that is predominantly male, and she is excelling as a Captain with the Princeton Fire Department.

130-Year-Old Church Destroyed by Fire

Captain Hale was assisting on a medical run when a passerby notified her of smoke coming from the church at 225 West Emerson Street. This historic building is home to The Princeton Church and is located just a couple of blocks from the Downtown area.

*See more photos below courtesy of Princeton Fire Fighters Union Local 1634.

Princeton Police officers were able to clear the building, and no one was located inside. But the fire quickly spread, and a total of 47 firefighters from at least 7 different fire departments provided mutual aid to protect neighboring buildings.

Firefighters Battle Flames and Cold Conditions

My friend Penny Goddard shared this live video from the fire. I cannot imagine how hot that inferno was. The wind and extremely cold temperatures made this fire a very dangerous situation. Miraculously, there were only a few minor injuries due to the cold.

Community Steps Up

The firefighters were on the scene battling this huge fire in the extreme cold for seven hours. Plus, some of them stayed overnight for hotspots and were back at the scene Tuesday morning. I am so happy to hear about all of the local restaurants and organizations that stepped up to provide food, shelter from the cold, and locations for the parishioners to worship, now that their church is a total loss.

Thanks to:

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