ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester church has been severely damaged by a fire that broke out on Christmas Day.
Fire officials say crews responded to the report of flames at the back of the Jefferson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday. When firefighters arrived, they spotted heavy smoke coming from the building.
A second alarm was declared shortly after their arrival because of the size of the building and the amount of fire.
As crews were battling the flames inside the building, they encountered a large amount of fire in one section of the church. Eventually, the firefighters inside were ordered to evacuate because of deteriorating conditions. At that time, a third alarm was declared.
Ladder trucks with hoses were stationed at all four corners of the building as the fire broke through the roof. A fourth alarm was declared and additional trucks with more water supply arrived.
The operation involved multiple units from the Rochester Fire Department and they were assisted by the Ridge Road Fire District and the Gates Fire District.
No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The condition of the building is still being assessed.