A fire engulfed The Rock Pentecostal Apostolic Church just outside Plantersville on state Highway 6 Wednesday shortly before midnight.

Multiple fire units were called to the scene and the church was described as “a total loss.” No injuries were reported.

This morning, Bishop Ledentry Forster, who lives near the church, was on the scene. The church, he said, had roughly 50 members. Son called the fire in. The church was started by Forster in 1987.

The initial fire call was made at 11:32 p.m. The church is located at 2916 Hwy. 6 (Union Ave.) and traffic was quickly stopped to assist responders. An ambulance was dispatched as a precaution.

Radio calls indicated that responding units included Plantersville, Nettleton and Verona fire departments.

First units on the scene reported that the church fire was “fully involved.” Responders were warned of two full propane gas tanks adjacent to the exterior of the structure and that power lines around the building were still “hot.”

Initial responders called for additional fire units.

One unit, asking the Lee County dispatcher for directions, was advised: “You can’t miss it, it’s fully involved.”

About an hour after the initial fire call, a responder was transported from the scene to be treated for smoke inhalation.

By 1 a.m., fire units had begun to leave the scene and the investigation of the cause had begun.