SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA:
TWO-ALARM COMMERCIAL FIRE AT THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH MINISTRY IN
DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK
SUFFOLK, Virginia (January 1, 2023) Suffolk Fire & Rescue units responded Sunday morning,
January 1, 2023, to a commercial structure fire at the New Jerusalem Church Ministry, in the
400 block of East Pinner Street. Emergency Communications was contacted at 04:18 a.m. and
the first unit arrived on scene at 04:23 a.m.
Battalion 1 found heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the second floor of the two-
story church. The second floor of the church was occupied at the time of the fire and all
occupants were out of the church when firefighters arrived. An aggressive interior attack was
initiated by Engine 3’s crew while Ladder 3 and Rescue 1’s crews performed a primary search
of the church. Crews isolated the fire to the second floor of the church.
Two occupants were in the church at the time of the fire. One occupant was transported to
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with smoke inhalation and has non-life threatening injuries.
The fire was placed under control at 05:08 a.m. The American Red Cross is assisting the
displaced occupants.
Responding units included Battalion 1; Battalion 2, Engine 3, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 9,
Engine 10, Ladder 3, Ladder 11, Medic 3, Medic 6, Rescue 1, EMS 1, Safety 1, Rehab 6, Fire
Marshals 5, 6, and 7 and Suffolk Police. The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of
the fire with Fire Marshal 7 leading the investigation.
Credit: Suffolk FR
