Durban - After the fire that gutted the massive Jesus Dome auditorium on Tuesday night, the church aims to get back on its feet quickly, and will conduct a Sunday service at Kings Park Stadium this week.
On Wednesday the church remained cordoned off while forensic investigators did their work inside. The church had not yet assessed the costs of the damage.
From June 19, the church will hold services every Sunday at the Jesus Dome premises in a tent that will be pitched in the car park, until the auditorium has been rebuilt.
On WEdnesday, eThekwini deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala and religious leaders went to the church and met the leadership in the parking area. The leaders included Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Mike Vorster, Parry Meskin, and Asmal Ishmail who are part of the Inter-Faith Solidarity.
Church spokesman Ron Steele downplayed allegations that an electricity fault might be the cause of fire. He said they would wait for the report of investigators who were probing the cause. Steele said the church was insured.
Speaking to the city delegation, the church’s senior pastor, John Torrens, said they would come back bigger and stronger.
Despite “the devastation” of watching the auditorium burn down on Tuesday night, they had been overwhelmed by love and kindness from the people of Durban.
“There are hundreds of messages from South Africa and international pastors and friends.
“We thank God no one was injured and the prayers and concern of so many people has been a heart-warming experience,” he said.
Torrens said they appreciated the efforts of the firefighters and other emergency services involved in helping them at the church on Tuesday night. He said several of the firemen were members of the church.
“At present the church premises are out of bounds as the authorities carry out their investigation,” he said.
Shabalala too applauded the bravery of the firefighters. She said they managed to swiftly prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the structure.
“We must commend our emergency personnel for their quick response,” she said.
“It is clear in the images shown that the fire was out of control, but they managed to handle the situation very well.”
Shabalala said they were shocked to hear that the church was destroyed by fire and sympathised with the church leaders.
“We are going to make sure that the church has a temporary place in the meanwhile.”
While the roof of the main auditorium collapsed, some office and other structures escaped the flames. The bible institute on the premises was also not damaged.