Historic church destroyed in big Berkeley blaze
Firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze that broke out Friday afternoon at the First Congregational Church in downtown Berkeley and gutted the historic sanctuary, fire officials said.
Berkeley police officers and firefighters responded to the report of fire on Channing Way at Dana Street around 12:30 p.m., authorities said. Heavy smoke loomed in the area, near the UC Berkeley campus.
No injuries were reported. Several church members were inside when the blaze erupted and were safely evacuated. Children at a day care on the church grounds also were evacuated, Berkeley Police Officer Jennifer Coates said. UC Berkeley officials said a dormitory at 2400 Durant Avenue, which houses 1,400 students, was also evacuated.
Witnesses said work was being done on the roof earlier in the day.
“We’re going to be here all day and all night,” said Berkeley Fire Chief Gil Dong .“I don’t know when the fire is going to be under control, but it’s going to be a while.”
Most of the roof at the multi-story church collapsed as flames shot from the top of the chapel. One of the building’s many chimneys also toppled over. Video showed water damage to the inside of the sanctuary.
One firefighter who became trapped inside the red-brick building while fighting the flames was forced to jump out of a window, Dong said. He was not injured.
The famously progressive church held its first service in June 1874 at the Berkeley Hotel at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, according to the church’s website. In 1925, the church moved to the current sanctuary, which was described as a “gem of New England Architecture.”
Carmelle Knudsen, a member of the congregation for 30 years, was doing volunteer work in a first-floor office when she heard shouts, smelled smoke and fled the building. She lamented the damage to the high ceilings, arches and huge pipe organ inside.
“It is what it is, I guess,” Knudsen said. “Of course I’m incredibly sad, but it’s a strong congregation, and we’ll plow through.”