Johnson County church engulfed in flames

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A church is considered a total loss after a fire in Northeast Johnson County Wednesday morning.

According to Capt. Joe Jennings with the Johnson County Fire Protection District, the Mount Zion Christian Church was fully engulfed in flames when the first crews arrived at the scene. A passerby called in the fire at 4:19 a.m. Wednesday.

The church is located at 951 NE Highway NN in Sweet Springs.

According to a press release from JCFPD, no injuries were reported.

Four JCFPD stations were at the scene, along with mutual aid from West Central Fire Protection District. Due to the rural location of the fire, crews had to transport water to the scene.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause, according to Jennings.

The church has served the community since 1840 and was built in 1896, with an addition added in 2008.

"Its destruction marks the loss of a historic building that has been part of the community for generations," Jennings said in the press release.