The cause of a fire that consumed a church in Marion County on Monday morning is under investigation by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations.
On Monday, July 28, a 911 caller reported that the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was fully engulfed in flames.
Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the church, which is located at 2350 NE 140th Street in Citra, at around 5:49 a.m.
MCFR Sparr Station #19 crews arrived at the scene at approximately 5:57 a.m. to find around 90% of the structure consumed by fire.
Additional firefighters from Citra Station #2, Lowell Station #11, Fort McCoy Station #7, Anthony Station #1, and Friendship Station #21 arrived shortly thereafter to assist in suppression efforts. Firefighters deployed hose lines and began battling the blaze.
Following a primary search of the structure, the fire was declared under control at 7:20 a.m.
In total, 12 suppression units and 29 firefighters responded to the incident. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations.