Fire damages church hall in Streator that serves as a weekly food pantry

The New Beginnings Baptist Church hall in Streator, which serves as a food pantry, was damaged by fire and smoke Friday morning.

No cause had been determined as of Friday morning, but the fire at 201 E. Bridge St. is under investigation by the Streator Fire Department; Streator Police Department; the office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The hall had severe smoke damage throughout and severe fire damage to the kitchen and food pantry areas, the fire department said. Firefighters had the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

A Streator firefighter had a minor injury occur during the response and didn’t require treatment, the department said in a Friday news release. On Friday morning, windows could be seen broken and blackened from the smoke. A passerby noticed the smoke and flames from the single-story brick building and reported the fire.

Nine Streator firefighters were in service for about three hours extinguishing the fire. Reading, Grand Ridge, Long Point, Allen Township and Ottawa fire departments assisted the Streator Fire Department in its response. Vermilion Valley Dispatch, ComEd, Nicor Gas and Illinois American Water also assisted.

Before the fire, the food pantry operated from 9 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday from the church hall.

“We are grateful for the quick response from our Streator Fire Department and other area first responders,” the New Beginnings Baptist Church said in a statement.

The church hosted a special prayer service Friday in the sanctuary of New Beginnings Baptist Church, 204 S. Monroe St., Streator.