Fire engulfs century-old Presbyterian church

PHILADELPHIA >> A massive fire that engulfed a centuryold west Philadelphia gothic church was brought under control in about two hours Monday with no injuries reported.

The fire was reported just before 9 a.m. at a Presbyterian church in the Overbrook neighborhood. Firefighters were on the scene in two minutes. The blaze reached four alarms.

Sherry Neal-Browne, a congregant at the church who lives a block away, heard commotion and came outside to see flames shooting from the church’s front door and side windows, and heavy black smoke pouring from the roof.

“It’s engulfed; it’s burning down right before our very eyes. It’s just very hard to see,” Neal-Browne said. “My son is 18 years old, he went to kindergarten there — he’s in college now. So it’s been a part of our life for at least 19 years — and to see it burn is tragic.”

The church was home to a preschool, afterschool programs and a daycare center.

Firefighters found one person on the second floor who didn’t know about the fire and got that person out safely. No medical assistance was required.

Fire department officials said the blaze apparently started in the basement. Fire crews had to retreat after discovering water pressure wasn’t high enough to fight the flames. They ordered an evacuation and focused on protecting houses behind the church from after ensuring nobody was left in the building.