Authorities are still investigating what caused a devastating fire that destroyed a 173-year-old Brooklyn Church, with arson remaining a possible cause as investigators examine evidence from the scene.
According to the New York Post, the South Bushwick Reformed Church on Bushwick Avenue was heavily damaged after a three-alarm fire broke out on June 19.
The flames tore through the wooden structure, collapsing the Church’s historic steeple and leaving much of the building in ruins.
Investigators are reviewing video footage that shows a person of interest leaving the area shortly before the fire began, according to officials familiar with the case.
No arrests have been announced, and authorities have not identified the individual.
The investigation has been complicated by the level of destruction inside the Church.
Crews are working through the damaged remains while searching for signs that could determine whether the fire was accidental or intentionally set.
The blaze required a major emergency response, with nearly 200 firefighters and emergency personnel arriving to battle the flames.
It took crews about two and a half hours to bring the fire under control.
The South Bushwick Reformed Church was built in 1853 and had long served as a historic gathering place for its congregation.
The Church’s roots date back centuries, with the congregation originally formed by Dutch settlers in the 1600s.
Following the fire, the building was placed under a city vacate order, preventing parishioners from returning while safety assessments and the investigation continue.
Members of the congregation are now working to rebuild and restore the damaged Church.
A fundraising effort has been launched to help cover repair costs and support the future of the historic property.
The fire’s official cause has not yet been determined.
Investigators are continuing to review all available evidence as they work to determine whether the destruction was the result of an accident or a deliberate act.