ATLANTA, Texas - It may be several days until the investigation can begin to determine what caused the fire at True Believers Family Life Center early Wednesday morning, an official said.
Atlanta Fire Chief Robin Betts said the investigation will begin once the area is cooled.
Early Wednesday afternoon, firefighters continued to battle smoke billowing from the church's location at 219 E. Hiram St.
"We keep at it to keep the downtown from being filled with smoke," Betts said.
The fire department received a call about the fire from a night patrolman at approximately 4:45 a.m. Wednesday.
The blaze was difficult to battle because of the structure's pier and beam construction and the wooden sub-flooring, Betts said.
The fire was too intense for an "inside attack" and it was fought from outside by using the aerial fire truck to get above the fire, he said.
Betts estimates the building is about 45,000 square feet.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the church/resale shop.
The Old State Theater movie house is just west of the church and a building used for fire department storage is east of the church building.
Electricity was shut off for a period of time as firefighters battled the blaze.
Fire departments from Bloomburg and Emergency Services District 2 also assisted.
In the past, the building has also been Raney's carpet and flooring shop.