Power restored for hundreds after fire severely damages historic North Philadelphia church
A historic church in North Philadelphia was seriously damaged in a fire overnight. On Tuesday, hundreds of people were without power after PECO was ordered to shut down utilities in the area.
The fire at United Missionary Baptist Church, located near Girard College in Brewerytown, broke out around 7:30 p.m. Monday.
About 60 Philadelphia Fire Department firefighters initially responded to the scene at the intersection of North 25th and West Thompson streets. The fire was brought under control shortly after midnight, but crews remained at the church Tuesday to monitor and put out hot spots.
"I just thank God that it's standing," Minster Christa Williams said. "It's still holding up. It's definitely hard to look at. It's a major loss. My dad's legacy is here. It's definitely a loss."
Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Chief Charles Johnson said no one was injured in the blaze and no one was inside when it started. He said Monday that embers were coming from the building, but firefighters "were able to keep that confined into this area. So we're not concerned about embers traveling to houses within the area."
Johnson added that power needed to be cut to a three-block radius near the church because the water used to fight the fire, which was made worse by the cold weather, was weighing down power lines. The fire department said high winds added a challenge to fighting the blaze.
Janet Walker said her family attends services at the church and that her husband grew up in the area and knows the pastor.
"They do a lot of things," she said of the church community. "And if you've been around for a while, churches used to go around in circles to each other's churches and preach and support each other. So it's a big loss."
While residents in the area weren't ordered to evacuate, Johnson said the lack of power might force some people from their homes. He said the Philadelphia Office OF Emergency Management will respond to the scene if anyone is displaced.
Members of the ATF Philadelphia Arson and Explosives Task Force are assisting the Philadelphia Fire Marshal at United Missionary Baptist Church. The Philadelphia Fire Department will lead the investigation.
