A fire and partial building collapse led to more than $10 million in damage at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Western Avenue in Chevy Chase.
Around 12:25 p.m. Monday, MCFRS was dispatched for the report of fire and smoke in the church, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer. Firefighters from Montgomery County and Washington, D.C. responded.
The fire did break through the roof area and there was some structural collapse. A couple of firefighters were struck by falling debris as they were leaving the building — they were not seriously injured.
The origin and cause are under investigation, according to Piringer. He stated that due to the partial collapse, fire investigators are not able to safely enter the building without further heavy equipment.
There was $10 million in structural damage and $1.5 million in damage to contents.
About 100 firefighters responded.
Photo via Pete Piringer
Update (~1230p 11/20) The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, Western Av; Origin/Cause, under investigation, due to partial bldg collapse, fire investigators not able to safely enter bldg w/o further heavy equipment; Damage $10M structure/$1.5M contents; ~100 FFs responded pic.twitter.com/E94Psrg8Db
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) November 21, 2023
