On Sunday morning retired Pastor Gene and Rena Demay were where they have always been, at the church they founded in the early 70’s, Faith Community Chapel on Rose road.
According to current Pastor Henry Pokrywa, during services a former firefighter/training instructor was driving by the church about 11:35a.m. and noticed flames shooting from a window and the west side of the roof of the parsonage next to the church. Gene and Rena have lived in the parsonage for the past 7 years.
They were able to get their dog out of the blaze and their cat was located by firefighters as they were investigating later in the afternoon. The cat survived the fire and was located hiding in the basement.
Deputy Fire Chief Robert Tripp with the Town of Batavia Fire Department says crews had difficulty getting access to the attic area where the fire was located because of a metal roof that was built overtop of the original asphalt roof.
Firefighters did attempt to fight the fire inside, but had to evacuate the structure when their was a partial roof collapse.
The fire immediately went to a second alarm, responding along with the Town of Batavia Fire were Alexander, LeRoy and Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. National Grid was also on scene .
The structure suffered fire, smoke and water damage is not livable.
The retired pastor and his wife are being assisted by the congregation which is about 15-20 members.