CAMBRIDGE — Firefighters battled a five-alarm hearth at Religion Lutheran Church simply hours after parishioners noticed Easter Sunday providers, officers stated.
The Cambridge Hearth Division responded to the blaze at 311 Broadway simply earlier than 5:30 p.m., in keeping with Jeremy Warnick, a Cambridge police spokesman Upon the firefighters’ arrival, a second alarm was ordered, which was elevated to a 3rd and fourth alarm quickly after, in keeping with Warnick.
Cambridge hearth officers stated on Twitter at 6:40 p.m. that the hearth had risen to 5 alarms.
There have been no accidents reported, Warnick stated.
Exterior the church on Sunday night, grey smoke poured from the steeple as firefighters doused the constructing with water from the bottom and above, with ladders from not less than 4 vans pitched excessive over the property.
Easter providers had concluded earlier than the hearth broke out, and the church had been empty, in keeping with the Rev. Robin Lutjohann, the church’s pastor.
Lutjohann stood amongst members of his congregation Sunday night on the sidewalk trying throughout Broadway as firefighters labored to manage the blaze.
“It’s overwhelming, in fact, and I really feel unhappy, however greater than something I really feel fearful about what it’ll take to revive the constructing to make it usable once more,” Lutjohann stated. “It’s an area that’s beloved by many members of the neighborhood.”
Lutjohann was dwelling in Boston when his cellphone started ringing with textual content messages and calls from parishioners who dwell close to the church.
“Regardless that it is a large blow to us, and despite the fact that you understand I’m crammed with unhappiness and fear on the similar time, I do know that God is with us and we are going to we are going to belief God to steer us ahead,” he stated.
Cambridge police had been on the scene for site visitors management Sunday night, Warnick stated.
It is a breaking information story and can be up to date as extra data turns into out there.
18:34ALM 5: STRUCTURE FIRE, BUILDING at 3XX BROADWAY/FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH in #CambMA
— Cambridge Hearth Dept. (@CambridgeMAFire) April 9, 2023
Nick Stoico might be reached at nick.stoico@globe.com. Observe him on Twitter @NickStoico.