PHOENIX — Fire crews spent the early morning hours extinguishing a large fire that destroyed a north Phoenix church Wednesday.
Phoenix Fire Department says crews were dispatched to St. Joseph's Catholic Church near 40th Street and Shea Boulevard after midnight.
When they arrived, flames were burning through the roof of the church, coming from inside the building. Crews made the decision to switch to a defensive strategy and prevented the blaze from spreading to neighboring buildings.
At 6 a.m. Wednesday, hours after the fire started, crews were still putting out hot spots.
Aerials over the scene showed extensive damage to the entire building, which reportedly just underwent some renovations.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
