Citra church fire destroys historic building as firefighters battle early morning blaze

ContributedFire engulfs Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Citra, Florida, early Monday, July 28, 2025, as firefighters work to contain the blaze. Marion County Fire Rescue

CITRA, FL (352today.com) – A fire tore through Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Citra early Monday morning, leaving most of the historic structure in ruins.

Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) responded to the blaze at 2350 NE 140th Street after receiving a 911 call at 5:49 a.m. reporting the building was fully engulfed in flames. The first crew, from Sparr Station #19, arrived within minutes to find approximately 90% of the structure already consumed.

Front view of church engulfed in flames with fire shooting from the roof and smoke rising into the night sky.
Firefighters spray water from an aerial ladder onto the charred remains of a burned church surrounded by smoke.
Firetruck and ladder spraying water onto smoldering remains of a burned church as morning sun rises behind nearby trees.
Firefighters with Marion County Fire Rescue responded to a massive blaze at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Citra, Fla., early Monday, July 28, 2025. The historic structure was heavily damaged. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Courtesy: Marion County Fire Rescue

Firefighters from multiple stations including Citra, Lowell, Fort McCoy, Anthony, and Friendship, worked together to combat the flames. After an initial search of the church, crews shifted to a defensive strategy to contain the fire.

The blaze was brought under control by 7:20 a.m. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

In total, 12 suppression units and 29 firefighters responded. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigation.