Monday, February 2, 2015

THE ROOF OF A TAMPA, FLORIDA CHURCH HAS COLLAPSED AFTER A 2-ALARM FIRE ROARED THROUGH IT MONDAY MORNING. THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.



 



THE ROOF OF A TAMPA, FLORIDA CHURCH HAS COLLAPSED AFTER A 2-ALARM FIRE ROARED THROUGH IT MONDAY MORNING.  THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.


February 2, 2015

TAMPA, FLORIDA (FOX 13) - 

The flames are mostly out after a church fire in Tampa.

The New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, located at 405 N. Oregon Ave., caught fire some time before 7 a.m. Monday.

Tampa Fire and Rescue responded to the scene after receiving several 911 calls about smoke coming from the church. The roof has since collapsed. 

“The primary one came in at 6:30 this morning so immediately we dispatched our first unit out here,” explained a Tampa Fire and Rescue official at the scene.
The first responders quickly realized the fire was more than just one crew could handle, and upgraded it to a two-alarm fire.

Several other crews arrived to the scene and have been fighting the fire defensively since. The Tampa Fire spokesperson explained that's when the fire is so severe, crews are unable to fight from the inside out. Instead, they douse the flames from the outside.

With the fire keeping crews from entering the church, they were unable to do an initial search for anyone who may have been inside.

Officials said there is an early-morning preschool that operates out of the church, but believe the fire started before any children arrived.

“It could have been worse. What we understand is they operate a daycare out of here, but they hadn't yet opened up to receive any children.”

Crews are continuing to fight hot spots in and around the church, and investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire. 

All the activity is causing back-ups along nearby roads so officials are urging everyone to avoid the area. You can use N. Boulevard or Rome Avenue as an alternate. Drivers travelling east or westbound can take Cypress Street.