Grapefruit Fire devours nearly $5 million worth of church palm trees

Flames shot more than 150 feet in the air as the Grapefruit Fire in thermal swallowed acres of thirsty vegetation near Grapefruit Blvd and Avenue 58.

“I see a big mushroom in the sky and flames,” said Francisca Berdugo who lives just a half mile east from where the fire sparked around 2 p.m.

“It’s dry out there, the trees got less water this year. The palm trees are dry and they’re carrying the fire,” said Cal Fire Captain Lucas Spelman.

Fanned by strong winds and temperatures climbing to a record 119 degrees, the fire at one point jumped Grapefruit Blvd, prompting more road closures and evacuations.

Four firefighters suffered minor injuries and have since been released from local hospitals.

“Six families were evacuated and one lost a whole house,” said Ruben Martinez, pastor at Christ is Salvation Church in Thermal.

The fire devoured a 5-bedroom house owned by the church, along with two other single-family homes.

Fire officials believe the fire started in the nursery next to the homes, where now more than 40 acres of palm trees are scorched.

The church also owns the nursery.

“We bought this with a purpose to sell the palm trees and make $25 million to build our new church on Church Street here,” Pastor Martinez said. “And now that these trees are gone, and you can’t insure palm trees, probably about $4-$5 million were lost. We’re leaving this to a miracle.”

In the face of this unspeakable tragedy, Martinez says the church will cling to its faith and find a way to rebuild.

“Usually when crisis comes in that’s when we pray to God and we see the glory of God manifest and he’ll calm the storm,” he said.

If you want to donate to Christ is Salvation, visit their website: http://www.christissalvation.org/

Street closures in place until further notice:

Grapefruit Blvd (Hwy 111) between Church St. and Avenue 62
Fillmore St between Grapefruit and Avenue 58
Avenue 58 between Fillmore and Polk St.
57th Ave at Desert Cactus Dr.
Desert Cactus Drive from Airport Blvd to Avenue 58