SEATTLE — Firefighters discovered flames in the walls of a church in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood early Tuesday.
The fire broke out in the basement at Saint Paul's United Church of Christ on 12th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 65th Street next to Ballard High School at about 3 a.m.
A homeless man who had permission to stay in a tent on the back of the property told KIRO 7 he smelled smoke and called 911.
Firefighters said the fire was small but spread within the walls of the sanctuary. The fire has since been put out, but crews had to tear open walls, ceilings and hardwood floors as the fire followed the air ducts.
Investigators say the fire started in the furnace room where something appeared to have been left too close to the furnace.
No injuries were reported.
Forty different recovery groups meet at the church throughout the week. They now don't have anywhere to go.
The pastor, Tim Devine, and others are trying to spread the word they'll have to find different locations for the foreseeable future.
To keep people safe, the church is also changing the locks so recovery group leaders don't use their keys to access the building.
An insurance adjuster is coming out to determine how much damage was done -- likely tens of thousands of dollars.