No one was injured in a fire that severely damaged part of a historic church in northwest Ocala on May 16, according to fire officials.
Ocala Fire Rescue officials said firefighters were called to St. Paul A.M.E. Church at 718 NW Seventh St. shortly before 10:30 p.m. and, upon arrival, noticed smoke coming from the rear of a two-story building.
Multiple units on scene conducted a perimeter search. Some firefighters entered the building to locate the origin of the fire. They encountered heavy smoke on the second story, which they believe was the source of the blaze, authorities said.
Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras, which detected temperatures above 375 degrees at the top of the stairs. As crews prepared to fight the fire, others searched the back of the building, officials said, but were unable to enter because a door was blocked. Firefighters eventually located what they described as “the seat of the fire” in the first-floor assembly hall, officials said, and crews were able to extinguish it.
Once the building was ventilated, a fire investigator and a building inspector entered the structure. Based on their findings, officials said the fire was accidental and electrical in nature. Officials said a newer wing of the building was not damaged, but the older wing is unsafe.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: No injuries after fire damages Ocala’s St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
