Students Help Utah Firefighters Battle Church Fire

March 19--CLEARFIELD -- Firefighters are battling a large blaze at the Clearfield Community Church at 500 E. 200 South.

North Davis Fire Department Captain Chris Tremea said crews were notified of the blaze at around 2:35 p.m. and responded three minutes later.

Firefighters had streams of water blasting into the church from several angles, with the fire appearing contained to the left wing of the building.

Tremea said a youth class was meeting at the church when the fire started and reported the blaze. Everyone made it out safely.

Michael Monson, who lives across the street from the church, said at around 3:15 p.m. it looked like firefighters had the blaze under control when a large flame burst through the roof.

"It went 'woosh'," Monson said. "Windows popped, smoke came through the bricks. It was just surreal. I can't believe how fast it went up."

Monson said firefighters then enlisted the help of students walking home from Clearfield High to hook up a large hose north of the church.

Jamie Lee, a senior from Clearfield High who lives near the church, had ran home when he heard about the fire. Along with four or five others, he helped firefighters with the hose.

"They just told me to grab the hose, and we started running," Lee said.

As of 4:40 p.m., crews appeared to have the fire under control, but we're still working. Tremea said an investigation into the cause of the fire will take place after the fire is out.

Copyright 2013 - Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah