Church Fire In Waltham Displaces Six People [UPDATED 4:52 p.m.]

The at the last night displaced six people, but injured nobody.

Early estimates put the damage at $500,000, according to Waltham Fire Lt. Michael Murphy.

The preliminary cause of the fire is “electrical,” according to Murphy.

Flames broke out at the church at 633 Moody St. at 11:12 p.m. last night and caused heavy fire damage to the first floor sanctuary area, Murphy said. Firefighters contained the flames to the first floor and knocked it down by 11:45 p.m., he said. Apartments located above the church sustained smoke damage, and the basement suffered water damage, Murphy said.

The American Red Cross assisted five of the six people displaced by the fire, according to spokesman Steve Napoli. The Red Cross relocated the group to a local hotel and gave them money for food, Napoli said. The flames did not damage the residents’ possessions.

The building is currently uninhabitable as firefighters cut electricity to the building, Murphy said.

“The rear portion of the building was unaffected. The building has no electricity so it wasn’t safe for them to stay there,” Napoli said.

Overall, Engine 1, Ladder 2, Rescue 6, Engine 2 and Command 2, along with Squad 5 and Deputy Chief Roger Hebert responded to the fire, Murphy said.

Church officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.