Dozens of firefighters battle flames, smoke at historic Charlotte church

CHARLOTTE — Dozens of firefighters worked to put out a huge fire Thursday morning at an historic church in west Charlotte.

The Charlotte Fire Department responded around 10 a.m. to a fire at the Big Springs United Methodist Church on Old Dowd Road near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

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Historic church catches fire in west Charlotte The Charlotte Fire Department responded around 10 a.m. to a fire at Big Spring United Methodist Church on Old Dowd Road near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. (WSOC)

Channel 9 crews were at the scene and could see firefighters working feverishly to put out the flames, which were concentrated near the front of the church. Thick, black smoke could also be seen spewing out the roof near the steeple of the church.

According to CFD, more than 30 firefighters were able to control the fire in about 30 minutes.

Fire officials said the church was vacant, but one person was hurt. No further information was released.

It’s unclear what caused the fire at this point, but officials said they are investigating.

The Big Spring United Methodist Church was organized in 1866 and there is a cemetery on the property.

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