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Officials reveal cause of fire that devastated Central City Baptist Church in Beaumont

Former Pastor Domingo Torres says there were plans to reopen the church. A new roof was recently installed and electrical repairs were being made.

BEAUMONT, Texas — Officials have determined that work being done on an air conditioning unit is what led to a fire that devastated a Beaumont church.

Firefighters were called to battle a fire at Central City Baptist Church in Beaumont on Monday, June 25, 2022 night. The call regarding the fire came in shortly after 10 p.m., according to Beaumont Police Department call logs.

A 12News crew at the scene saw a large amount of flames and smoke coming from the building. 

The church had been a part of the community since 1961. It was abandoned but Domingo Torres, the church's former pastor, said it was being repaired in hopes of reopening soon.

"It's just heartbreaking you know cause I knew that we were going to start the church again and bring people again and start ministering again and now this happened," Torres said.

Torres said a new roof was recently installed and electrical repairs were being made.

Beaumont resident Major Goldman said the church was a staple to the community. Goldman said he and his family used to go for bible services every week.

"It's a sad day for our community," Goldman said. "This fire just came out of no where. I went to the car to get something out of the car, and I smell something and about two to three minutes later this is what happens."

Neighbors told 12News transients would reside inside of the church.

This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.

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