02/14/2025 UPDATE AT 2:15 P.M.: Around 10:15 p.m. Thursday, February 13th, an Elmira police officer saw that the former Baptist Church was on fire and called 9-1-1. Officials said on arrival, they found that the church's second and third floors were heavily involved with flames.

The Elmira Fire Department immediately requested backup of all Elmira Fire personnel, as well as help from the Southport and Elmira Heights Fire Departments. Officials said that the fire quickly tore through the building and its roof, eventually causing the roof to collapse.

Fire Chief Andrew Mallow deemed the former Baptist Church a total loss and a demolition company will come in to demolish it. Authorities said a demolition company is en route from Syracuse, and demolition is expected to start either Friday afternoon (2/14)  or Saturday (2/15). Crews will first remove the tall parts of the church that pose a safety hazard.

Chief Mallow said the Verizon building next door to the church was exposed to the flames, but crews from Elmira Heights and Southport, along with two reserve units from Elmira, were able to keep the fire from spreading.

The fire is under investigation.

6AM UPDATE: Elmira police have West Church Street closed, from Railroad Avenue to North Main Street. The closure is expected to last most of the day for February 14th. Firefighters remain on scene, and an excavator and other equipment has been brought in. Elmira city leaders tell WENY News the building will have to be destroyed.

ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- A massive fire tore through a historic church building in downtown Elmira Thursday night.

Fire crews responded to a fire at the former First Baptist Church on 121 West Church Street a little after 10PM. Within minutes, the building was engulfed in flames. While WENY News' crew was on scene, the building partially collapsed. 

Firefighters from multiple fire departments are currently on scene working to get the fire under control. 

The church was originally built in the 1890's, but its last services were held in 2009. Chemung County property tax records show the building was sold in 2010.

This is a developing story. WENY News will have continuing coverage throughout the day on Friday, and will update this story when more information is made available.