Tulsa Church Heavily Damaged By Fire

A Tulsa church has heavy damage after a large fire, and investigators are trying to figure out what caused it. The fire near 7th and Memorial has been extinguished after it burned for nearly four hours Wednesday morning, July 24.

At least three ladder trucks and about 65 firemen battled the flames at Memorial Drive Church of Christ. Firefighters say they had a tough time getting this fire under control. They say there were several times when they knocked the flames down just for them to kick back up again.

Stan May with the Tulsa Fire Department says they first fought the fire from outside because it was too dangerous to go in.

"They were in there initially but there was too much fire in there and the structure was weakening so we pulled them out," said May.

Members of the church and staff stopped by to get a look at the damage. Minister Jason Thornton says he's worked there for more than 15 years, so it's heartbreaking to see his church go up in flames but he says they will bounce back.

"It's sad, it's obviously wearisome, the work it's going to take is going to be difficult but it is the idea that we're still the people of God and so, we're excited for whatever he has next for us," said Jason Thornton.

The fire appeared to start in the middle of the building, but the exact cause is not known at this time.