North Little Rock congregation leans on each other after fire

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Over the weekend, a part of North Little Rock church caught on fire leaving many who attend in shock.

Pastor Paul Loyd of Crystal Valley Baptist Church said the fire happened inside the fellowship hall part of the building on Saturday night.

Loyd said he is not sure how the fire started as it is still under investigation.

“The building was locked and no one was here and the fireman said the fire was started on the inside so maybe a circuit breaker panel.” Loyd stated. “It was only in that portion of the building that’s the fellowship hall and we’re probably going to lose that.”

He said the firefighters battled the flames for hours and afterwards it left a gaping hole in the fellowship hall.

The pastor said he is glad no one was hurt and the sanctuary is still standing. Loyd added that even though they couldn’t go inside the sanctuary on Sunday, the service wasn’t canceled.

“Well that was the big question, so on Sunday morning we met over here not able to get inside the building but right outside the building,” Loyd said. “We had one of our best services we that we had people were not distressed by this not defeated by this.”

He explained that the congregation found some recovery in one another.

“We actually did a baptism right here in the parking lot,” Loyd said.

As they continue to figure out what’s next, he said their faith has only grown despite the loss.

“Our hope moving forward is the same that it has always been; it’s in the Lord and we trust him,” Loyd expressed.

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