UPDATE: 4:13 p.m.
Members of Chestoa Baptist Church watched helplessly today as flames and smoke destroyed their house of worship.
Firefighters were paged out to the church on Chestoa pike in Unicoi County around 10:30 this morning.
When firefighters arrived, flames engulfed the entire building.
South Side was the primary fire department, and they were assisted by Limestone Cove, Unicoi, and Erwin Fire Departments.
At one point, at least twenty six firemen helped put out the blaze.
Firefighters are investigating what caused the fire.
"We called in state fire marshals office. They're going to be on scene assisting with the investigation and at this time it's still preliminary. We're looking into everything," said Unicoi County Sheriff's Office and Fire Investigator Lt. Jimmy Erwin.
The fire did not injure any one.
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.
Fire teams and the sheriff's office are on the scene of a church fire in Unicoi County.
11 Connects digital journalist Phillip Murrell is on the scene and he described the fire as big and said flames engulfed the entire church.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will bring you updates as soon as they are available.
Cell phone service in this area is sketchy, so photos are not yet available.
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Fire crews are rushing to Chestoa Baptist Church, 2170 Chestoa Pike, Erwin, Tennessee.
Around 10:30 a.m., emergency scanner traffic included reports of heavy smoke visible at the church. Fire crews were calling for backup assistance from a ladder truck.
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