Fire breaks out in abandoned church in Carbondale

Fire damaged an abandoned church in downtown Carbondale Monday, causing traffic to be blocked at S. University and W. Walnut and drawing large crowds.

Crews arrived on the scene around 9:44 a.m., with firefighter units from Carbondale, Marion, Herrin, Carterville and DuQuoin working to get the fire out.

The building was once the home of the Walnut Street Baptist Church but is now owned by the city of Carbondale. The city’s public information officer, Roni LeForge, said there were already talks at the last city council meeting of possibly demolishing the building.

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The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Gallery • 12 Photos

Naia McPherson | @naiamcpherson

Firefighters Dan Snider and Jamison Bartlow man a hose aimed at Missionary Baptist Church as it burns on the corner of Walnut and S University Ave. Monday Feb. 6, 2023.

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