Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a massive fire that gutted the historic First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland.
The three-alarm fire broke out late Sunday night and no injuries were reported.. Firefighters responded at about 10:45 p.m. to reports of a structure fire at the church, which is located on Telegraph Avenue near West MacArthur Boulevard. Crews battled the blaze for several hours before containing it.
"This is the oldest Black church in the East Bay," Church Pastor Rodney D. Smith said. "This church educated Black and brown people 20 years before people were able to get an education in this area. We have started schools. We have educated. We have sent children to college. We've done all those things. We feed the community, those who are in need of food. We go to the homeless shelters. This is a community church."
Smith on Monday was looking for good signs as he and other church community leaders examined the damage.
Recovery efforts are underway.
Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also examining the blaze.
The blaze does not appear to be suspicious, and no other buildings were affected, according to the fire department.
The church set up a GoFundMe to help with the rebuilding.
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