S.C. Firefighters Battle Baptist Church Fire

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Dec. 13--A fire Monday afternoon damaged Anchor Baptist Church in the Little River area, leaving unclear when its members could return to worship in the building.

The fire about 4 p.m. damaged the church building on Highway 50 in the Little River area and forced authories to block traffic near the building while firefighters battled the blaze.

Firefighters from Horry County Fire Rescue rushed to the scene Monday afternoon responding to a report of a fire alarm, but after they arrived they noticed smoke and determined there was a fire, said department spokeswoman Leslie Yancey. Firefighters from Calabash Fire Department also were called to help, Yancey said.

Bill Prince, a North Myrtle Beach resident and member of Anchor Baptist, arrived at the church after he learned the church was on fire from his son, who works with the Horry County Fire Rescue, he said.

"A friend of my son's called him and told him about the fire," said Prince, whose son was out of town at the time.

"One of the deacons came over and saw smoke coming out [of the church]," Prince said.

He said the fire looks like it started in the nursery area as firefighters worked in that area, putting out the fire.

"It's really sad," said Prince, who said members probably won't have prayer meeting there Wednesday night. He said he wasn't sure about service on Sunday.

"The church [building] is only three or four years old," Prince said. He said the church originally was located on S.C.9 at a warehouse building.

The church's members wanted to have their own property, which is why it relocated to Highway 50, Prince said.

No one was at the church at the time of the fire, Prince said.

Yancey said no injuries were reported. It was unclear Monday what caused the fire.

Kenneth A. Gailliard contributed to this report.

Contact JANELLE FROST at 443-2404.