PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A church building on Peoria’s southside is a total loss after a fire earlier Thursday.

Peoria firefighters we called just after 7 a.m. to a church at the corner of South Blaine and West Starr streets - Liberty United Love Ministries, for smoke in the building, finding heavy smoke coming from the front.

Battalion Chief Josh Maroney said firefighters initially fought the fire from inside, but conditions deteriorated very quickly and the decision was made to pull everyone out.

The fire was fought defensively with two ladder trucks and multiple hose lines.

The fire was brought under control within three hours. Firefighters remained on scene for around two more hours checking for hidden fire and extinguishing hotspots.

Demolition on the building was started with f

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