Citronelle congregation plans to rebuild after burning car slams into building

VIDEO: Whatโ€™s left of the Church of God of Prophecy in Citronelle is rubble after witnesses say a flaming car slammed into the building. The fire started just after 8 a.m. when a car caught fire on Highway 45. Alabama State Troopers said the vehicle had a mechanical failure before the driver jumped out seconds later.

โ€œShe, like, jumped out, and she landed on the concrete, and the car went by itself, and it ran into the church. I immediately called 911, and then the church started going up in flames,โ€ witness Karleigh Mitchell said. Pastor Brenda Smith said the church has been part of the community since the 1970s, when her father first built it. โ€œMy dad built it. Yeah, he was pastor here, and itโ€™s been different pastors here, but he came back in โ€™80, โ€™82,โ€ Smith said. Smith said she is leaning on her faith as the congregation begins working to rebuild.

WKRG-TV CBS 5 Mobile

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