Church catches fire on Skidaway Island

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SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A fire ripped through the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church

The blaze happened around 6pm Sunday.

Almost 50 Southside firefighters rushed to the scene to battle the fire as congregation members gathered in the parking lot.

Southside Fire assistant chief Hugh Futrell tells WTOC it appears the building may have been struck by lightning.

The church's pastor, Jim Giddons, says it may have hit the building near the kitchen and nursery area.

"We had an employee who was here working, preparing for vacation bible school tomorrow," Giddons explained. "She heard a pop, but the lights didn't go out. She walked down the hall to turn the lights out and when she did, she saw smoke and called one of out trustees who then called the fire department."

No one was hurt and most of the damage appears to be near the fellowship hall and the church's education building.

The church says they will try to still open their doors tomorrow for vacation bible school and will rebuild the portion of the building that was damaged.

Southside Fire crews are keeping watch on the building throughout the night to prevent any hot spots from flaring back up.