COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators are trying to figure out what sparked a fire that ripped through a Cobb County church Thursday.
A person driving by The Holy Sabbath Ministries Church at 1130 Cooper Lake Road reported the fire at about 2:45 a.m.
Firefighters arrived and quickly got water to the fire and put it out within 20 minutes.
Firefighters say there was no one inside the church at the time of the fire.
The fire has been contained but authorities say the fire heavily damaged the backside of the church. The roof collapsed.
"Crews reported flames showing through the roof and it was initially deemed a defensive fire due to the amount of fire involved upon our arrival,” said Smyrna fire official Dustin Davey.
The church’s pastor, Paul Unovoh, told Channel 2's Audrey Washington the church had just been renovated.
Unovoh told said there is no insurance on the church, so he is now praying for help.
“I'm only calling on the Holy One, our Father in heaven to send help, so we can continue to serve him,” said pastor Paul Onovoh.
Onovoh says may have to have Sunday services in the church's parking lot.
He told Washington that what hurts him most is losing the church kitchen. He says many church members would use the kitchen to cook meals for the homeless.
“Are all burned down. From meats to fish,” said Onovoh.
Cobb County firefighters and Smyrna authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.