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West Philadelphia Church Catches Fire

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By Syma Chowdhry, Al Novack

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Crews were battling a fire early Sunday morning at Faith Outreach Ministry For All People church in West Philadelphia.

The fire broke out around 3:45 a.m. on the second level of the church located at 60th and Master Streets.

Firefighters say when they arrived, there was so much smoke in the air they didn't know which church (there are two others nearby) caught fire. They had to break down the doors and windows to put the fire out. It was under control in about 45 minutes.

"I was shocked," Bishop Bobby Scaless said. "We will miss our church here, but we will carry on. We will do God's work."

Scales lives two blocks away and came to the scene immediately. He said he was disheartened by the whole situation, especially because it happened on a Sunday. Services were held at the Bishop's home Sunday morning.

"We are going to continue to keep the faith and keep our heads up," he said.

The building sustained significant damage to the second floor and roof. The main body of the church on the first floor was saved, but received water and smoke damage.

Church Fire
(The inside of the burned church. Credit: CBS)

No injuries were reported. It's unclear when the church will reopen as fire officials continue to investigate.

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