LEADERS at Halesowen’s Zion Christian Centre have been “overwhelmed” by the support since Sunday’s blaze, which wrecked the auditorium.

And a call has gone out for volunteers to meet at the centre’s foodbank storehouse tonight at 7pm armed with paint brushes to help set up a temporary venue ready for Sunday’s services.

A centre spokesman wrote on Facebook: “Thanks everyone for your overwhelming messages of support sorry we can't respond to all of them.”

An electrical fault has been blamed for the blaze and church leaders said they were relieved that no one was hurt and praised the emergency services for containing the fire.

The spokesman added: “Nobody was hurt which is the main thing and the fire could have taken the whole building out but didn't thanks to the excellent fire services’ intervention.

“Thanks for your prayers and offers of help”

“Church will be back on next Sunday for sure, more details to come in the week.

Eight crews tackled the blaze after the alarm was raised at about 5am on Sunday. The auditorium was severely damaged and there was smoke and water damage to the front block of the Little Cornbow building.

The centre’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages of sympathy and support.

David Roberts said: “So sad to see the damage but struck by how the baptistry, the place of renewal and new life stands out amongst all the ashes.”

Christine Chadwick added: “It's heartbreaking to see the damage done to the building but it's a blessing that it didn't happen a few hours later whilst people were there. I will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.”