Firefighters Battle Blaze at Beech Grove Church

Indianapolis Fire Department spent hours working to extinguish fire at Independent Nazarene Church

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Indianapolis Fire Department responded to a large fire at Independent Nazarene Church in Beech Grove, Indiana late Friday night. Crews spent nearly five hours battling the blaze, which caused the roof to partially collapse. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Why it matters

Church fires can be devastating events for local communities, causing significant property damage and disrupting religious services and community programs. This incident highlights the important role of firefighters in protecting public safety and responding quickly to emergencies.

The details

When firefighters arrived on the scene around 10:43 p.m., they found heavy smoke coming from the roof of the Independent Nazarene Church. The roof partially collapsed, forcing crews to evacuate the building and fight the fire from the outside. It took three hours to get the blaze under control and another two hours to fully extinguish the flames.

  • The fire was reported around 10:43 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2026.
  • Firefighters spent nearly five hours battling the blaze.

The players

Indianapolis Fire Department

The fire department that responded to and battled the blaze at the Beech Grove church.

Independent Nazarene Church

The church located in Beech Grove, Indiana that was damaged by the late-night fire.

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What they’re saying

“No injuries were reported.”

— Rita Reith, Battalion Chief, Indianapolis Fire Department (wibc.com)

What’s next

The Indianapolis Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire at the Independent Nazarene Church.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the important role of firefighters in protecting public safety and quickly responding to emergencies, even late at night, to minimize damage and prevent loss of life.