ATF investigating Lumberton church fire

     Fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of church fire. Fletcher Emmanuel Church Alive caught fire around 8 Wednesday morning. It's located on 395 Fletcher Road in Lumberton.

     Church members say they realize this was just a building and to them and they were just relieved no one was hurt. Unfortunately though at least three office buildings and their contents were destroyed.

     The church maintenance man says he and one other staff member were the only people at the church this morning. He says he immediately called 911 when he saw smoke coming from office buildings above the sanctuary.

     Firefighters called for backup from Beaumont, Silsbee and Kountze fire departments.

     Church members could only stand back and watch as firefighters raced to save their building.

     The fire did not damage the church sanctuary but it did suffer smoke damage.

     The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has arrived in Lumberton this evening. Investigators are setting up a command center outside the church to help determine the cause of the fire.