One of New York City’s oldest churches was engulfed in flames Thursday night, marking yet another arson attack on a historic church.
The five-alarm fire broke out Thursday evening around 6:45 p.m. at a residence attached to the historic First Reformed Church of Astoria in Queens. Flames spread rapidly to the main structure.
Nearly 270 firefighters responded, with at least six injured, one after being struck by falling debris from a partial roof collapse.
? NOW: One of the OLDEST churches in New York City is currently up in flamesFirst Reformed Church of Astoria was established in 1839.Really hate the see this.Praying FDNY can save this church ??pic.twitter.com/6wysGzsFmb
The church, a neighborhood landmark that had already survived and been rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1888, now faces uncertain survival.
The First Reformed Church of Astoria was organized in 1839, making it one of New York City’s oldest houses of worship.
In recent years the church had sat vacant, though it remained a cherished neighborhood landmark.
At about 6:45 p.m. Thursday, the FDNY responded to reports of a fire at the First Reformed Church of Astoria at 27-26 12th Street in Queens. Units arrived and observed heavy fire in a vacant two-story rectory. The fire rapidly extended to the church, and units moved into both…pic.twitter.com/cQOewqJ1kl
This incident is the latest in an ongoing series of arson attacks on churches.
As we recently highlighted, another historic church—the 1893 Saint-Romain structure in Quebec was torched:
Source: modernity
