Fire destroys historic church in Los Angeles, arson investigation under way
An arson team is investigating the cause of the Victory Baptist Church fire
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An arson investigation is under way after fire destroyed a historic church in South Los Angeles early Sunday, authorities said.
The blaze at Victory Baptist Church broke out shortly before 2:30 a.m. and quickly grew to major emergency status, said Nicholas Prange, a spokesperson with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two firefighters were hospitalized with mild to moderate injuries after battling the flames, Prange said. One became trapped by a collapsing ceiling before being rescued, he said.
The Los Angeles Times said Victory Baptist has played a major role in the spiritual and political history of South LA.
A Los Angeles fireman recovers musicals instruments after a fire destroyed the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, on Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Founded in a local storefront on Easter Sunday in 1943, the church moved into its current building on McKinley Ave a year later. In the 1950s, its Sunday night services were broadcast on television nationally.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the church in 1964.
An arson team with the House of Worship Task Force was part of the investigation, officials said.