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Basement fire burns through walls, void spaces of historic Mich. church

Grand Rapids firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke from the basement of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, with flames spreading through walls and void spaces

August 27, 2026 09:38 AM
Basement fire burns through walls, void spaces of historic Mich. church.jpg

Grand Rapids firefighters battled heavy fire in the basement, walls and void spaces of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, with off-duty crews called in to provide relief.

Grand Rapids Fire Department/Facebook

By Bradley Massman
mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – An investigation is underway as Grand Rapids firefighters battle an overnight fire at a church on the city’s southeast side.

A fire broke out just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Avenue SE.

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Firefighters arrived at the scene and found heavy smoke and fire showing from the basement windows.

Crews attempted an interior attack using several hose lines in the basement and on the main level of the church, but the fire was already ahead of them in the walls and void spaces.

Multiple fire crews responded throughout the night and additional off-duty members were called in to staff extra machines for relief.

The fire is still an active scene as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 .

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