Oconomowoc -

Yesterday morning, members of First Baptist Church in Oconomowoc gathered together at the Oconomowoc Public Library, where they worshiped and gave thanks.

The old church bell was replaced with a hand bell, but the bell still rang and with that, the service began.  Rev. Sam Brink thanked members of the community for their support.

"We cannot express the support we have felt from the community," said Brink.  "We know that you care.  We want to say thank you to the community as a whole."

Members were thankful that no lives were lost in last Wednesday's explosion and said they had a lot to be thankful for.

See full story tomorrow in the Oconomowoc Focus.

City of Oconomowoc - City officials confirmed that seven people were injured today when a worker on the Wisconsin Avenue road construction project struck a natural gas line causing an explosion and fire that destroyed a church and a house and caused significant damage to another residence.

First Baptist Church, at 301 W. Wisconsin Avernue was fully engulfed in flames that errupted after the explosion today at 1:26 p.m., that spread to houses located to the south and west. The home at 20 S. Worthington Street is a total loss, city officials said, and the house immeditaely west of the church is heavily damaged. No estimates are available at this time. 

Four people were transported to Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and a fifth person was transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life. Two firefighters also received minor injuries during the initial firefighting effort.

Representatives of WE Energies and the Oconomowoc Fire Dept. were on the scene prior to the explosion after being notified that the gas line had been struck. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

Approximately 180 customers in the vicinity of the accident had their gas service turned off while emergency repair work was conducted.

Oconomowoc residents displaced by the explosion and fire have been directed to Park Lawn School where the American Red Cross Disaster Service Team was available to provide assistance.

An explosion rocked the Oconomowoc downtown area just before 1:30 p.m. and was followed by a fire on west Wisconsin Avenue.  No official word yet as to the cause but intial reports are that a gas line was struck during road construction. City of Oconomowoc Fire Department is on the scene. Story continuing. . ..