Demolition continues at Elijah Missionary Baptist Church after a devastating fire last week.

The fire broke out at around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. The demolition started on Saturday and is expected to take around 10 days to complete.

Bishop Avery Comithier tells NewsChannel 13 that the community has showed its support to donate.

“The sidewalks were full. People just came out of the woodwork and concerned, and it was gratifying to know people care. I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he said.

The bishop said he is grateful for the outpouring of support form nearby churches as well as government leaders and the entire community.

Investigators do not know exactly how the fire started but it is thought to be electoral in nature. They said they are vowing to save the historic bell tower for future generations.