VIDEO: Smoke billowed and flames ripped through St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland Friday evening.
"There was a partial collapse in the residential property and the church also suffered pretty severe damage on the Charlie side of the building in the rear," said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington.
About 60 firefighters were on the scene just before 7:30 p.m., making every effort to save the historic church.
"There was nobody living in the single family residence and the pastor was in the church when the fire started," said the chief, noting it could have been a lot worse.
"Crews did a really remarkable job of keeping the fire to this building and part of the church. It really could've gotten the whole city block going if they hadn't reacted so quickly," he added.