KENNARD—A morning fire claimed the parsonage of First Baptist Church in Kennard Jan. 14.
Pastor Jim Durham said his wife smelled smoke as she was preparing to leave for her job as a schoolteacher.
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Two firefighters survey the damage after a fire destroyed the parsonage of First Baptist Church in Kennard. (PHOTO/Courtesy of Jim Durham)
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When they opened the door to their utility room, smoke billowed out, he said.
The house totally was consumed in about half an hour as the fire raged through the attic, he added.
The fire marshal put the cause of the fire as electrical in nature, originating in the attic.
The four-bedroom, two-bath house had been home for the Durhams for the more than 20 years he has served as pastor in Kennard.
The church had insurance on the structure, and the Durham’s had insured the contents. But no decision had yet been made on whether to rebuild, Durham said.
“I’m standing knee-deep in ashes right now, trying to see if there is anything we can find to save, but we’re OK,” he said the day following the fire. “You don’t want your house to burn and lose all your possessions, but we got out with our most prized possessions—our lives and our puppy dogs.”
As he waited for the insurance adjustor to arrive, he added, “Now, we’re just waiting and taking it one day at a time.”
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A former member of the Kennard congregation is allowing the Durhams to stay in a home in nearby Crockett as long as needed, he said.
“Several people have actually offered us a place to stay. The people here are very gracious. We’ve got a loving church of wonderful folks,” Durham said.
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