A Sunday morning fire left a Northern Michigan congregation without a building after flames from a burning vehicle rapidly spread and destroyed Crystal Lake Southern Baptist Church in Frankfort.
According to the City of Frankfort Fire & Rescue, the incident began when a pickup truck caught fire in the church parking lot near the intersection of Casey Road and Frankfort Highway. The flames quickly jumped to the sanctuary, turning a routine morning into an emergency evacuation.
City officials said dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls around 11:49 a.m. reporting the vehicle blaze, followed by updates that the church was catching fire as well. When first responders arrived, they found the truck fully engulfed — and fire already spreading through the structure.
Benzie County EMS, the first to reach the scene, confirmed the building was already burning. Good Samaritans reportedly helped get occupants out safely, and officials confirmed there were no injuries.
Photos released by the fire department show intense flames tearing through wooden framing, producing thick smoke that could be seen for miles. Within a short window, the building — a place of worship and community for local families — was fully overtaken.
“Winds in the area and the lightweight wood construction of the building were likely factors in the rapid spread of the fire,” the release said.
Firefighters from Frankfort, Benzonia, Homestead, and Thompsonville worked alongside Benzie EMS, the sheriff’s office, dispatch teams, Frankfort police, and even Brent’s Excavating to contain the blaze and knock down hot spots. Crews remained on-site for more than five hours.
The church, which has served residents near Crystal Lake for decades, is considered a total loss. The cause of the initial truck fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet stated whether services or gatherings were underway when the fire began.
While members of the congregation are safe, the community will now begin navigating what comes next — from temporary gathering locations to eventual rebuilding plans.
Officials said additional photos captured during the response are available for the public and media.
Originally reported by Justine Lofton in M Live.
.webp)
