Electrical Fire Sparks Outside Interfaith Service

An electrical fire at a utility pole rained sparks outside on Monday night, forcing service attendees to evacuate during the closing reception.

As attendees of the service enjoyed refreshments, the utility pole on the street outside the church started to shower spark from mechanical failure. Utility company Jersey Central Power & Light Company sent over three trucks, who cut the power to the church.

No one was hurt in the incident, and good cheer was certainly not a casualty either. One witness told Patch that children in attendance enjoyed what they believed was a fireworks display on the street. The service was over by the time the Springfield Fire Department evacuated the church. Perhaps imbued with heightened levels of serenity from the interfaith service, the reception crowd was calm as they left the building. 

"People just walked out the door holding their little plates of cheese and crackers," church Deacon Dawn Clarke said.

The service gathered leaders from and members of religious organizations throughout Springfield in a celebration of Thanksgiving. Coincidentally, the Fire Department was not the only local public safety organization to factor into the proceedings, as an offering was taken to benefit the Springfield First Aid Squad.

Church elder Don Raphjens said that the church lost power for about three hours after the incident. He said that the incident didn't create any lasting damage.

"It certainly was an exciting service," Clarke said.