UPDATED: April 27, 2015 10:36 p.m.
BALTIMORE (WNEW/AP) – A massive, 3-alarm fire emitted clouds of smoke and large flames in Baltimore Monday night as the city tried to stop riots following Freddie Gray’s funeral.
WNEW’s Cameron Thompson reports around 9 p.m. the fire engulfed the foundation of a senior center under construction at Lanvale St. and Chester St.
The nearby Southern Baptist Church was building the center to provide 60 affordable apartments and behavioral counseling for seniors.
“We’re going to rebuild. We’re going to come back strong from this,” says the church’s pastor Donte Hickman.
Pastor Donte Hickman, who's church's prjct burns behind, says he hopes tonight is a wake up call. "Enough is enough" pic.twitter.com/aM2Cf76Z2w
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) April 28, 2015
Southern Baptist Church group in prayer. Pastor says they'll grow stronger from this, won't give up on community. pic.twitter.com/fWUSMmyftn
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) April 28, 2015
The fire was one of many the Baltimore City Fire Department battled as riots erupted throughout the city.
RELATED: Violent Riots Erupt in Baltimore After Freddie Gray’s Funeral
Mayoral spokesman Kevin Harris says the fire was related to the riots and Baltimore’s deputy fire chief says the department is “99 percent sure” it is linked to the riots.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake went to the site of the fire and spoke with Hickman.
.@MayorSRB says they're focused on "bringing an end to the chaos". Destruction has been "heartbreaking". pic.twitter.com/KWs0LYHB03
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) April 28, 2015
By about 11 p.m. the fire was starting to subside.
Baltimore Deputy Fire Chief says fire will likely be under control tonight but they won't inspect until tomorrow pic.twitter.com/nCwonD87Q4
— Cam Thompson (@CamThompsonCBS6) April 28, 2015
No one was believed to be in the building at the time.
WNEW’s Cameron Thompson contributed to this report. Follow him and WNEW on Twitter.
(TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)