Fire burns historic church in East Baltimore

A two-alarm fire at a historic East Baltimore church on Sunday damaged the roof but injured no one, officials said. Members of Grace Memorial Baptist Church were attending Sunday school at about 10:30 a.m. when smoke was seen coming from the roof. Firefighters called to the church at 1100 N. Eden St. arrived to see flames. They opened the roof and began hosing it down. Much of the roof was either damaged or gone as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. The winds that toppled trees throughout the region Friday and Saturday did not pose a problem for firefighters, a city fire spokeswoman said. Everyone was able to escape the church safely. About two dozen parishioners stood outside in their Sunday suits and hats, gazing at the smoke still coming from the roof and the hoses spraying water. They referred questions to the church’s pastor, Marshall Lee Barnes, who was not available for comment. Skinner said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The church was incorporated in 1927, according to its website. It was first housed at the Star Theatre Auditorium on Monument Street before moving on to its current location on North Eden Street. 45 occupants to the Stanton Community. On Sunday, the occupants were moved to the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, Annapolis Fire Inspector Ken White said. The Light House will remain empty until an environmental company assesses and cleans it, White said. The Red Cross was helping to house the displaced residents. No injuries were reported, White said.