A fire that destroyed a Bergen County church forced members to hold their service outside Sunday.

The Podonamoo Church on Hazlitt Street in Fort Lee was gutted Saturday night by a blaze firefighters believe started in the building?s garage area.

The church rented the top two floors of the building, which is owned by J. Mariano Construction. The company refused to comment about the fire.

Fort Lee Fire Chief Jeff Bernard says equipment inside the garage made putting out the fire more difficult.

He says the only person inside the building when the blaze started was the church?s pastor and she got out safely. Her congregants say they are optimistic blessings will follow them as they rebuild elsewhere.