A massive fire has left an historic church in Brooklyn with extensive damage on Friday.<\/p>\n
The fire broke out at the South Bushwick Reformed Church at 855 Bushwick Ave. near Himrod Street in South Bushwick just before 1:30 p.m., according to the FDNY.<\/p>\n
Video shows the steeple of the historic church topple over about 15 minutes after the fire broke out.<\/p>\n
Officials say heavy fire was reported in the church, which extended to surrounding properties.<\/p>\n
Within minutes, it grew to a second-alarm fire and then a third-alarm fire about 20 minutes after it started.<\/p>\n
Sixty-three units and nearly 200 fire and EMS personnel are working at the scene.<\/p>\n
Firefighters have the fire contained, but it has not been put out.<\/p>\n
FDNY officials told Eyewitness News that there is still a deep-seated fire inside the church, and the concern is the rectory, a separate building behind the church, could suffer damage. The rectory and a building adjacent to the church caught fire as well.<\/p>\n
Official say that the church will unfortunately have to be demolished. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, so the loss is devastating to the community.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, officials say only one firefighter suffered minor injuries, and refused medical attention. There were no reports of any other injuries so far.<\/p>\n
Fire Marshalls are investigating the cause of the fire.<\/p>\n
Operations are ongoing.<\/p>\n
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