OCALA, Fla – A blaze erupted overnight at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Ocala, resulting in significant damage to a church hall, ultimately leading to the building’s condemnation, authorities reported.
Responding to a call at approximately 10:24 p.m. on Saturday, Ocala Fire Rescue teams arrived at the church to find a smoke-filled, two-story structure, with thick smoke pouring from the rear, according to department officials.
Firefighters encountered near-impossible visibility and intense heat as they maneuvered hose lines and sought the fire’s origin, officials stated.
Initially, crews suspected the fire began on the second floor due to the presence of dark smoke and thermal imaging that showed temperatures exceeding 375 degrees at the top of a stairwell, officials indicated.
However, during a primary search, the firefighters discovered the fire’s origin in a first-floor assembly hall and promptly shifted their efforts to extinguish it.
After the fire was put out, crews checked for hot spots and potential extensions and ventilated the building.
A fire investigator and building inspector were requested, and officials later determined the fire was electrical and accidental, the department said.
The building was condemned because of extensive smoke and fire damage, officials said. No injuries were reported.
According to an official release, the Prevention Division, the Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, the Building Department, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
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