Fire causes $1 million in damage at north-side church, Indianapolis Fire Department says
Crystal Hill, IndyStar
August 7, 2018
A fire caused $1 million in damage to a north-side church Tuesday morning, according to the Indianapolis Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
Crews responded just after 9 a.m. to a report of smoke coming from Our Savior Lutheran Church on West 25th Street, near West Fall Creek Parkway, There were 70 firefighters at the scene.
The department said the fire was in the basement. Video posted by the department shows heavy smoke coming from several areas of the structure. No one was inside the building at the time.
The fire was contained around 9:45 a.m. and caused an estimated $1 million in damage.
Battalion Chief Rita Reith said the church's co-director, James Boyd, was at the scene.
Our Savior Lutheran Church was established in 1939, according to IFD. It has about 50 families as members. Construction on the building was finished in 1947.
A call to the church wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.
Reith said the cause of the fire was not yet known.
=========================
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. –
The Indianapolis Fire Department is investigating a fire that officials estimate caused about $1 million in damage to a near north side church.
Crews were called to Our Savior Lutheran Church on W. 25th St. at about 9:07 a.m. after smoke was seen coming from the building.
The first firefighters arrived at about 9:10 a.m. and began working to extinguish the blaze. IFD says the fire was located in the basement of the church, which sent heavy smoke throughout the structure.
“I’m just thankful for the first responders who got here because I think if they had not gotten here when they d
He says despite the damage, the church will rebuild and continue on its mission.
“We’re here to serve the lord and the community and so we’re going to do that if god gives us the strength and ability to do it,” said Boyd.
With the help of a total of 70 firefighters, the fire was marked under control by 9:44 a.m.
According to IFD, no one was inside the building when the fire broke out, no one was injured and the church has insurance. IFD also said that because the fire happened at a church, the ATF is investigating as standard procedure.
Boyd says the church was established in 1939. Its 50-family congregation will celebrate the church’s 80th anniversary on Oct. 19 of next year.
