Over 100-year-old Cleveland church destroyed in massive fire
A deserted Cleveland church that has been a part of the city for over a century was engulfed in flames Friday morning.
Cleveland firefighters rushed to Friendship Baptist Church on East 55th Street around 2 a.m., when a fire erupted through the roof of the house of worship, spreading smoke and debris throughout the neighborhood.
The church, which was a synagogue before being used for Baptist services, was built in the 1890s and had been vacant "for some time," according to Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman.
More than 14 fire companies responded to put out the two-alarm blaze.
No injuries were reported, but the damage to the historical building was severe, according to Norman.
"The building's likely a total loss," he told reporters at a news conference.
"So they're estimating a $500,000 loss, but it's really irreplaceable," he added.
No cause for the fire has been determined and the investigation is ongoing, Norman noted. He added that the gas to the building had long been turned off.
The church was originally the Willson Avenue Temple and in 1924 the building was sold to Mount Zion Congregational Church, according to historical records. In 1940, it was sold to Friendship Baptist Church, which conducted services for decades.
