Overnight 4-Alarm Fire Destroys Portland Church

Wells Fargo has opened an account for anyone who wants to make a donation to help in the rebuilding of the historic church.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND) - Portland Fire & Rescue responded to the report of a church on fire at 106 NE Ivy St.

Crews reported seeing a column of smoke in the area as they were responding.

When Heavy Rescue 1 arrived at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church just before midnight, they reported a 3-story church that takes up 1/2 city block fully involved.

Some of the callers reported to emergency dispatchers that they heard an explosion that "shook the house" Portland Fire Department spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt said.

The church building was so fully involved in fire that embers were being lifted high in the air by the thermal column and fell on neighboring residences.

Two houses had their roofs ignite and firefighters scrambled douse those flames.

They successfully extinguished those fires and had the main body of fire knocked down in the church by 1:00 AM.

The annex building next to the church suffered heavy damage but firefighters were able to save most of the structure Oswalt said.

No injuries have been reported, and firefighters will be on scene though out the morning.

Investigators from Portland Fire & Rescue have been working through the night interviewing witnesses and no cause has been determined at this time, however they believe the fire started in the church's sanctuary.

ATF investigators will be on scene today to assist Portland fire investigators.

About 100 firefighters were called to fight the fire; 17 Engines, 7 Aerial Trucks, and 14 support vehicles which includes Chief Officers , Air Units, Rehab Trucks and Fire Investigators.

The church was built in 1892.

Wells Fargo has opened an account for anyone who wants to make a donation to help in the rebuilding of the historic Morning Star Missionary Baptish Church in Northeast Portland, which was destroyed by fire late Monday night.

Donations can be made to the "Morning Star Catastrophe Relief Fund" at any Wells Fargo bank branch.