Jesus statue brought down by lightning

[Geel_jire]

MONROE, Ohio - The famous King of Kings statue at the Solid Rock Church in Monroe is no longer after a fire destroyed the popular landmark Monday night.

 

The 62-foot tall statue of Jesus constructed out of styrofoam, wood and fiberglass resin caught on fire after the right hand of the statue was struck by lightning during the severe thunderstorms around 11:15 p.m.

 

The only thing left of the 16,000 pound statue is the metal frame.

 

Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu said the statue was fully involved in fire when crews arrived.

 

Crews were able to use water from the pond in front of the statue, however, the fire burned very quickly, according to police.

 

The statue was grounded, but for some reason it did not absorb the lightning strike.

 

"I never thought this would be vulnerable, it was a real tragedy," Chief Neu said.

 

Fire spread to the Lawrence Bishop Music Theateran, an amphitheater adjacent to the statue.

 

Chief Neu tells 9 News the fire also destroyed sound equipment stored in the amphitheater.

 

"There was quite a bit of audio equipment in the amphitheater they were using to prepare for their Fourth of July celebration," said Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu. "They lost all that equipment."

 

A Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper worked to prevent people from stopping along I-75.

 

The trooper said he asked more than 30 people to move from the side of the highway. Many tried to take photos of the remains of the statue.

 

One passerby captured video of the statue on fire and posted it on YouTube just after 1:30 a.m. You can watch that video below.

 

No injuries were reported.

 

The damage done to the statue and church is estimated at $700,000.

 

The church has received calls from all over the world expressing sympathy for the loss of the statue.

 

The King of Kings statue is believed to be the largest sculpture of Jesus Christ in the United States, according to the church.

 

King of Kings was constructed in 2004 at a cost of $250,000. It was designed by a Knoxville, Tennessee, artist, built in Jacksonville, Florida, and transported to Monroe for assembly. Leaders of the 4,000 member congregation said they saw the statute as a way to give people hope, not just impress them.

 

Church officials say the statue will be rebuilt and they will go forward with their July 4 celebration in a makeshift manner.

[Allamagan]

Mucjiso Rabbi weeye! This must be a clear message from Allah. To Allah alone we seek help/hope and not from a statue.

 

loool @ all youtube comments regarding this fire, like this one below:

If I remembered well, the last time you bast.ards crucified him and now barbecued him, what's next?

-by fsxmantra

[Aaliyyah]

lool that youtube comment is hilarious.

 

Subhanalah yeah it must be a sign from Allah swt...

 

salaam

[Maaddeey]

Mucjiso lama dhihi karo, waa shil caadi ah. Haddii mar uun masjid weyn qaddar Alle ku dhacdo ee dumo ama gubto ee gaaladu u soo daliishadaan in Islaamku baadil yahay?.

[Chocolate and Honey]

I fail to see how this is a SIGN from Allah. These sort of things happen.

[Che -Guevara]

^It's like Jesus on toasted break or window screen. You need to look and believe hard.

 

 

LooooooL...I know Geeljire posted.The dam thing was expensive.

[Hales]

I fail to see how this is a SIGN from Allah. These sort of things happen.

You really dont have a choice in denying it if your a Muslim, If a Muslim says its a sign from God then you have to nod and agree.

If its Alshabaab saying it is youll be caught in a loophole., you would have to rather nod immediately and vigorously or else......tszxk off with the flogging or head.

[Che -Guevara]

Al-Shabaab waa lagu qarwaa

[Chocolate and Honey]

LOL! Any excuse to drop their name huh?