Overnight fire damages historic South Jersey church

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Fire broke out at a South Jersey church and went to two alarms before it was finally put out.

The fire at the Temple of Praise Ministries Church in Pennsauken started in the basement at about 11:45pm. By midnight, it went up to two alarms, and was finally under control at about 12:40am.

The outside of the church in the 7500 block of River Road does not look seriously damaged, but firefighters had a hard time getting to the flames.

The basement where it started suffered the worst damage. The space was a dining area and also stored church items. The main worship area sustained smoke damage and cannot be used for now.

Neighbors say the church has been a staple in community for almost a decade. The congregation is only about nine years old but it's actually a 150-year-old church building.

Church leadership told FOX 29's Dave Kinchen they will rebuild.

Fire Chief Joe Palumbo said it's a very old church where there was a fire a number of years ago, but it has withstood the test of time.

Nobody was injured and the cause is under investigation.