150-Year-Old Baptist Church Destroyed In 7-Alarm Blaze

WAKEFIELD, MA — The First Baptist Church was destroyed by a seven-alarm fire that tore through the landmark church much of Tuesday evening. The church reportedly caught fire after a lightning strike, and some of the battle firefighters waged against it was in the midst of a thunderstorm.

No injuries were reported as of early Wednesday morning.

The almost 150-year-old church's 180-foot spire is passed by thousands of out-of-town visitors who spend time near Lake Quannapowitt. It's been a downtown icon known for its grace and beauty.

Many on social media Tuesday evening were heartbroken the loss of their church, while others lamented the loss of the preschool they sent their kids too. Even those who had no connection to the church were grieving its loss.

A wild thunderstorm hit the Wakefield area early Tuesday evening, sending rumbling thunder and lightning flashes through the sky.

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Main photo James Girouard of Restore Pro