Pittsburgh Church Recalls Fallen Firefighters

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A day after a church fire killed two firefighters, injured dozens more and left a congregation without its spiritual home, the pastor promised his parishioners they would ``rise out of the ashes.''

The Rev. Dr. Joseph V. Winsett told more than 300 parishioners of Ebenezer Baptist Church who gathered Sunday at a nearby church that they must not dwell on the tragedy.

``I'm not asking why the building was burned,'' Winsett said during a ceremony marked by singing and clapping. ``I stopped asking questions of God, because you can't figure out God sometimes.''

Firefighters Richard Stefanakis, 51, and Charles Brace, 55, both of Pittsburgh, died in Saturday's fire, according to the coroner. Twenty-six other firefighters and one public works employee were injured. Five firefighters remained hospitalized Sunday, two in serious condition.

Parishioners said they were struggling with the loss of the church, which was founded in 1875 and has deep roots as the oldest black Baptist church in the city.

Jeriel Stirkey, a 71-year-old deacon, was baptized there and recalled playing tag in the corners of the building as a boy.

``I've been there all my life. It's my home,'' he said. ``It's the only place I had in my life that they didn't tear down.''

Firefighters thought they had the fire under control when the steeple collapsed. The debris fell into the building's basement, where both dead firefighters were found, Fire Chief Peter Micheli said.

A board of inquiry will look into whether the city should take up additional safety measures, the chief said.

Ebenezer has about 2,500 members, about 900 of whom were active, church officials said.

William Monroe, 64, who was baptized and married in the church, believes the fire will strengthen the church community. ``It might bring people closer together. Maybe more members will join,'' Monroe said.

Officials plan to demolish the remains of the church early next week and remove enough debris to allow investigators to reach the electrical system in the basement. Public works director Guy Costa said high winds and an unstable back wall slowed that plan Sunday.

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