Philadelphia firefighters expected to begin searching for answers Friday to the cause of a fire that tore through a North Philadelphia church Thursday afternoon.
The fire broke out at the Original Apostolic Faith Church of the Lord Jesus Christ near Broad Street between Jefferson and Oxford streets.
About 70 people - many of them Temple University students - were forced to flee a nearby housing structure.
No one was inside at the time and no injuries have been reported. It was placed under control a few hours after it began, fire officials said.
But officials will not be able to enter the building until Friday at the earliest, the fire department said.
SEPTA service to the Broad Street Line south of Erie Station was suspended but resumed about 9 p.m. Residual delays remain.
The church is located near an area where many Temple students live. Several posted videos on social media showing young people helping to move heavy fire hoses.
About 100 firefighters battled the blaze. A fire official told NBC10 firefighters could not enter the building for some time due to "deplorable" conditions inside.
The church has been a community fixture since 1970, according to Frederick Tookes, who said he was one of the owners.
"We were here Tuesday night. We had service," Tookes said. "The building was secure. Everything was cut off. We don't know what happened."
