Despite an aggressive attack, a large church in San Bernardino was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon.
Although originally dispatched as a brush fire, crews found it had spread to the basement. They called additional resources to assist, according to Battalion Chief Mike McClintock.
Firefighters soon encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions on all floors. Truck crews provided vertical ventilation to help improve conditions inside.
But, when conditions changed, firefighters were orded out of the structure. Crews utilized ladder pipes and handlines to flow large amounts of water on the fire.
Firefighters quickly doused an outbuilding and vehicle fire.
Due to structural instability, an emergency tear down process was initiated with San Bernardino Code Enforcement.
One firefighter was injured and transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
The cause remains under investigation.
