UPDATE: Thursday, October 11, 2012

Fire officials have confirmed that the fire started in the area of the couch that was outside the church building.

The fire remains under investigation.

If you have any information about the fire, call the Arkansas City Fire Department at 620-441-4430.

- - -

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The pastor for an Arkansas City church credits the help from neighbors and firefighters for saving the 101-year-old church.

"I can't believe this happened but I was praying that still the building was still standing up," said Hector Flores, pastor for the Iglesia Cristiana de Restauracion at 1425 South J Street in the Sleeth Addition.

The pastor was worried after he received a call around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday informing him of the fire.

"Thinking horrible things happened but I'm glad somebody called the police and the fire department and there wasn't damage, the way I was thinking," he said.

Neighbors like Ronald Bruner, who spotted the fire, called for help.

"It is crying shame that this happened but the church is still standing. This can be rebuilt," said Bruner.

When fire crews arrived, they found an old couch and tire on fire, a couple of feet away from the building that leads to the basement of a temporary homeless shelter.

The flames quickly spread to the building, but firefighters were able to put out the flames within minutes.

"Churches are really bad for having a big fire 'cause they're a big building," said Lt. Chet Ranzau, Arkansas City Fire. "They did an excellent job of stopping the fire before it got out of hand."

The damage is estimated at $5,000. No one was inside the church and no one was hurt.

The fire is still under investigation.

If you have any information about the fire, call the Arkansas City Fire Department at 620-441-4430.