Lightning strikes Smyrna church

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Lightning struck a Cobb County church, leaving the steeple perilously perched on top of the sanctuary.

Smyrna firefighters extinguished the fire at Welcome All Baptist Church on Borne Drive on Monday night.

Church officials told Channel 2's Liz Artz that the lightning left a large hole on the back side of the steeple and there are just three screws holding a ridge the steeple sits on.

"It was a lot of lightning. I saw all these fire trucks come this way and they said that lightning hit the steeple," witness Alphonso Wisseh said.

Officials say the rest of the structure is safe, except for some debris in the front lobby.

Pastor Bill Reese told Artz they hope to begin the repairs as early as Tuesday.

"God was good. He took care of it, it could have been a lot worse and he did a fine job," Reese said.

WSBTV