Thanksgiving Blaze Destroys Historic Buford Church

BUFORD, GA — A massive blaze that sparked Thanksgiving night destroyed a historical church at East Moreno Street, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services said Friday.

Fire officials did not identify the church; however, a search of the address showed it belonged to First Pentecostal Church Buford. No one was injured in the fire.

Crews responded around 10 p.m. Thursday after receiving a report of smoke coming from the church's roof. Fire officials said when they arrived, they found smoke extending from a vent hole at the top of the three-story church's sanctuary.

One of the church's leaders told firefighters two young church members saw the smoke billowing from the building and unsuccessfully tried extinguishing the fire, officials said.

They then escaped the church and notified 911, fire officials said.

As crews were inside the building to determine the source of the smoke, fire officials said the dangerous conditions intensified, and the crews had to exit the church. Fire was found in the church's attic during the search, fire officials said.

The church began dismantling, and additional units were then requested, fire officials said. The blaze was not controlled until 2:30 a.m. Friday, they said.

No criminal activity was suspected, though an electrical source could not be ruled out as the cause of the fire, officials said.