Home > Inside the Newsroom > Archives > 2007 > January > 15 > Entry
Answering the call Saturday night
It was a sound we hear countless times every night in the newsroom - the sound of the police scanner.
But Saturday night, it was very different. It was a time of shock as the first the call came of a fire at The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville. Initial reports were heard to say smoke pouring from the building. Shortly there after, reports of flames showing. It didn’t take long to realize that a major event was playing out. Editors sprung to work. Reporters were sent to the scene, along with photographers.
Then the scanner again - motion alarm at Oakmont Baptist Church and smoke showing at Unity Free Will Baptist Church. More calls made and more people sent to cover the breaking stories around Greenville, all the while, the blaze roared at The Memorial. The newsroom buzzed with activity and the phones rang and rang and rang. There were rumors of other possible fires and break-ins. We were having trouble keeping up with all the activity.
As the evening grew late, details poured in as Greenville and other fire stations rained down water on The Memorial to try to control the blaze. A smaller fire was contained at Unity and the Oakmont situation investigated. Reporters, editors and photographers worked feverishly to report the news. All the while, worried about those churches already hit and wondering if others would be next.
Thoughts raced through my mind as I have worshiped at both Oakmont and The Memorial. I drive by Unity nearly every day on my way to work. I couldn’t help but be saddened by the events that were unfolding. All of us were stunned as the scanner continued to keep us abreast, and reporters and editors continued to call with live reports.
Finally, the newspaper was produced and we headed home. Each church I passed was well lit and often cars were seen in the parking lot. One could only imagine what these people thought as they rallied around their churches, hoping not to be next. I drove by The Memorial and saw the destruction and fire crews working to save part of the structure. I rode past Unity and saw several squad cars with lights still on in the parking lot.
The story was in and the newspaper on the press, but the event was still - and is still - unfolding. As journalists, we will continue to cover this story. And our thoughts are with those who were affected by Saturday night’s events.
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