Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in the basement of historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington D.C.
The church has been there since 1816.
The historic church is across Lafayette Square from the White House.
Reports that the church was engulfed in flames were premature.
Video shows protestors reportedly pull a flag from St. John’s Church, before adding tree limbs to fire. pic.twitter.com/bLvTE4uERW
— Elma Aksalic (@ElmaAksalic) June 1, 2020
The basement was on fire according to DC Fire and EMS:
Box Alarm 1525 H St NW. #DCsBravest had fire in basement of church. Fire extinguishing. Checking for extension.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) June 1, 2020
Video of the fire:
The historic St. John’s church across from the White House has been set on fire: https://t.co/mWgtdkwBq3
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) June 1, 2020
A Washington Post reporter tweeted:
“It is unclear how it started.”
NEW: Fire was in basement of St. Johns, and is out, my @washingtonpost colleague @phscoop reports from DC fire department. Firefighters got there w/ a police escort and quickly put out the blaze. Did NOT appear to cause any significant damage, and it is unclear how it started.
— Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 1, 2020
D.C. is a tinderbox ready to blow:
A parks service building in the Square is on fire @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/84n2KuK0BY
— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) June 1, 2020
Full on looting in progress inside 16th office buildings @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/pvzjDzll5R
— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) June 1, 2020
Fire burning inside the AFL CIO Building at 16th and I @nbcwashington @erika_news pic.twitter.com/AyGSgIF3ci
— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) June 1, 2020
