Church Donates To Duquesne Fire Victims

DUQUESNE (KDKA) - Two families were displaced this weekend when a fire destroyed their homes Friday in Duquesne.

Now, a local church is hoping to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas by offering assistance to those families.

Gary Bush was in a state of shock when he arrived on North Fourth Street and saw his home engulfed in flames.

"We resided there over 20 years, and then watching the neighbor's house catch fire from the cause of my home, I believe," said Bush. "It was devastating for everybody, all the way around."

A fire of unknown origin ripped through Bush's home and spread quickly, causing heavy damage next door. A neighbor escaped safely from her home. Bush, his wife and two children were away at the time.

"It's 100 percent a blessing. Normally, my son is in the room where they believe the fire originated and he wasn't," added Bush. "He was next door, originally, then he left with my brother. No one was home."

Bush is feeling blessed that his family is intact, but fire destroyed everything they owned.

On Sunday morning, the pastor and congregation at Macedonia Baptist Church in Duquesne donated their missionary offering to the families.

"How many of you all know that we're not but a step away, a moment away from where they are right now," said Rev. Archie Perrin, of the Macedonia Baptist Church. "How many of you believe that if you do what is right by God, that God will do right by you."

Rev. Perrin hopes to send a message to the congregation and the community.

"This is what Christmas is all about, not the buying of presents," added Rev. Perrin. "This is basically our great mission, and the true meaning of Christmas. This is the time to demonstrate that."