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last mo.

South Bushwick Reformed Church Largely Destroyed by Three‑Alarm Fire

City engineers will determine whether the landmarked 19th‑century structure can be salvaged, a choice that will decide demolition, funding and rebuilding plans.

burned timbers after a church fire
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Overview

  • A fast‑moving three‑alarm blaze severely damaged the church and caused the steeple to collapse on Friday, with no reported fatalities and only a minor firefighter injury.
  • The site is fenced and structurally compromised as city and church engineers, along with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Department of Buildings, prepare detailed assessments that city officials say could lead to demolition.
  • The FDNY is still investigating the fire’s origin and has reported no clear evidence of suspicious activity while multiple eyewitnesses said they saw a person near the building just before the flames spread, a detail under review by investigators.
  • The congregation moved services online and launched a GoFundMe seeking $2 million for emergency stabilization, a temporary worship space and restoration work, with early donations covering a small fraction of the goal.
  • The loss affects more than the building because the landmarked church, dating to the mid‑1800s with a congregation dating back to 1654, hosted youth programs, food aid and community services and had undergone prior steeple repairs that now factor into restoration and funding decisions.