An historic St. Louis church was destroyed in a three-alarm fire Monday morning, presenting firefighters with a grueling battle against both flames and freezing temperatures.
The fire consumed the former Frieden German Protestant Church, located near 19th and Newhouse. The fire was called in around 11:30 a.m. After an initial search, firefighters withdrew from the structure and conducted a defensive attack, extinguishing flames that briefly touched four nearby vacant buildings.
Firefighters faced challenges
Roughly 80 firefighters faced challenges navigating icy streets and managing onlookers. There were no reported serious injuries, though there were falls, Fox 2 reports.
The church, which dates back to the 19th century, was a landmark featuring large stained-glass windows and a bell tower. It had been vacant for several years. Investigators suspect arson.
