Forest, VA — A significant explosion at Forest Level Baptist Church on Monday evening has prompted a response from multiple fire departments across Campbell and Bedford counties. The incident, which occurred on Bateman Bridge Road, led to extensive damage to the church building, rendering it perilously unstable.
According to the Bedford Fire Department, the building was declared “extremely unsafe” following an assessment, leading to the evacuation of all emergency personnel from the immediate vicinity of the structure to prevent potential injuries from a possible collapse.
Fire Marshal Leo George III of Bedford County, who arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion, stated that the event was triggered by an LP gas explosion around 9:52 p.m. Although a minor fire accompanied the explosion, the main cause of concern was the structural damage inflicted by the blast itself.
“Our primary concern is the structural integrity of the building at this point,” George said. “It appears highly likely the building could collapse, and we are coordinating with the church’s insurance company to stabilize what remains to ensure a thorough investigation and salvage as much of the structure as possible.”
Firefighting units, including those from Forest Volunteer Fire Department, Bedford Volunteer Fire Department, Boonsboro Fire Department, Bedford County Fire and Rescue, and Brookville-Timberlake Fire Department, were on scene within minutes of the call. Quick coordination between these units ensured that the area was secured promptly.
George confirmed that fortunately, no one was inside the church when the explosion occurred, and no fire personnel suffered injuries during the operation. He emphasized the cautious approach taken by the responders, given the building’s potential to collapse.
“We needed to ensure there were no victims inside while also being extremely careful not to endanger our teams unnecessarily,” he added.
The specter of the church’s potential collapse hovered heavily over the community members gathered nearby. Homer Lipford, a long-standing member and chairman of the deacon board at Forest Level Baptist Church, watched the emergency efforts unfold.
“It’s disheartening, especially coming just weeks after our 151st anniversary,” Lipford commented. Reflecting his distress, Lipford shared that he has been encouraging the congregation to find solace in faith, particularly citing Romans 8:28, which he believes underscores resilience and collective unity in the face of adversity.
Responders remained meticulous as they navigated through the compromised structure, performing swift but thorough searches to ensure no one was trapped inside before retreating to safety. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office, with more details expected to emerge soon as they delve deeper into the incident.
As the community reels from the shock, the focus now shifts to investigation and reconstruction efforts, with hopes high for recovering and restoring the historic church building as much as possible. The full impact of the explosion on the community and the church’s future activities remains to be seen as investigations continue.