Church destroyed in fire in Westminster, firefighter taken to hospital

WESTMINSTER, Md. — Investigators in Carroll County are looking into what caused a fire at a church. 

Officials say, crews were called out to the Clearfield Bible Church along Old Westminster Pike just after 3 p.m. on Thursday for reports of a fire. They say an employee was inside of the church when the fire started, but was able to get out safely. 

Flames spread quickly throughout the building causing the roof and several walls to collapse. Multiple crews from different units were on the scene. It took nearly 75 firefighters two hours to extinguish the flames. 

One firefighter had to be taken to a local hospital. Their current condition is unknown. 

Standard protocol says whenever a fire breaks out at a place of worship, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) takes over the investigation. 

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated and detectives will remain on the scene throughout the evening according to officials.