OCALA, Fla. – St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Ocala now stands condemned after a fierce blaze broke out overnight, rendering the church hall unsafe, according to local officials.
Ocala Fire Rescue was alerted to the incident around 10:24 p.m. on Saturday, responding swiftly to reports of a structure fire at the church. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a daunting scene: a two-story building engulfed in smoke, with thick plumes emerging from the rear, as reported by the fire department.
Facing hazardous conditions, the firefighters braved zero visibility and intense heat as they navigated through the building, deploying hose lines in an urgent search for the fire’s origin.
Initially, the team suspected the blaze began on the second floor, guided by dark smoke and thermal imaging that detected temperatures soaring above 375 degrees at the top of the stairwell. However, during a thorough primary search, crews discovered the fire’s actual source in a first-floor assembly hall, prompting them to adjust their efforts to combat the flames effectively.
Once the fire was successfully extinguished, the dedicated crews proceeded to check for any lingering hot spots and possible extensions, ensuring the building was adequately ventilated in the aftermath of the blaze.
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.
