Fire Ignites Historic Church In East Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — City firefighters are investigating after a two-alarm fire broke out at a church in Baltimore Friday afternoon.
The fire was reported at around 4:20 p.m., at 704 Ensor St, where the Christ Institution Baptist Church is located.
The building, a historic church, was one of the first African American churches in Baltimore, according to Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford.
"This church is a historic church," Ford said. "It's one of the early African American churches in the city of Baltimore. It's been vacant for a while but from what I understand there are people looking at the building now for purchase,"
Over 20 units responded to the call, according to fire officials, and the flames grew when firefighters tried to get inside.
The fire was in the front room of the building, known to be frequented by homeless people.
"The building was boarded up-- consequently when they opened up and introduced all the oxygen, then the fire really started rolling. That's part of the reason they rung out the second alarm,"
No civilians or firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
According to our media partner the Baltimore Sun, the church opened in 1895 as a church, hospital and medical school.
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