Photos: Historic Church Destroyed in Thanksgiving Fire

November 29, 2024
1 min read
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.

Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.

How It Started: At 10:02 p.m., two young members of the congregation at First Pentecostal Church of Buford noticed smoke pouring from the church’s roof on East Moreno Street NE. They attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful and called 911 after escaping safely.

Firefighters Arrive: Fire crews arrived at 10:06 p.m. and discovered flames in the attic above the sanctuary of the three-story building. Extreme heat and rapidly growing flames forced firefighters to abandon interior operations as parts of the structure began to collapse. Defensive tactics using ladder trucks and multiple hoses finally brought the fire under control at 2:30 a.m.

The Photos:

Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.

Why It Matters: The fire caused extensive damage and left the building unsafe, but no injuries were reported thanks to quick action by witnesses and emergency responders.

What’s Next: Fire investigators are working to determine the cause, focusing on a possible electrical source. While rebuilding efforts will take time, the congregation and community are expected to come together to support the recovery process.


Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Buford church late Thanksgiving night in Buford, safely evacuating the building and containing the fire after an intense four-hour effort. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage and partial collapse of the structure.
B.T. Clark
Publisher at The Georgia Sun

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.

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