Vacant NE OKC Church Collapses In Overnight Fire

Firefighters are investigating the cause of a three alarm fire at an abandoned church in northeast Oklahoma City.

According to fire officials, when crews arrived on the scene around 10 p.m. Monday near Northeast 23rd Street and North Lottie Avenue, they saw heavy flames coming from the church and the walls began to collapse. Firefighters set up a collapse zone to protect homes in the area.

"It was a really dangerous situation for our crews here with not only the collapse, but we were worried about the powerlines," said OKCFD Chief Benny Fulkerson. "There are homes in the area and that's something that we always have to consider too. One of the very first things we did upon arriving on scene was set up a collapse zone."

Firefighters said the church has been vacant with no electricity for years.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire officials said someone must have started it.

Fire crews are keeping two engines at the scene while crews rotate to monitor and put out hot spots.

This is a developing story.