Newark Firefighters battle a raging two-alarm fire that destroyed a funeral in Newark's lower West Ward Wednesday afternoon.
According to preliminary information from officials, heavy fire tore through the James E. Churchman Jr. funeral home located at 345 13th Avenue just before 12:17 p.m.
When crews arrive at the scene, they found flames ripping through the second floor of the two-story framed building.
Crews were able to get water on the blaze immediately, but not before the fire caused severe damage to both levels of the structure.
It is not clear if the funeral home was housing human remains being prepared for funeral services at the time of the fire.
Crews brought the blaze under control in less than an hour with the cause under investigation.
No injuries immediately reported.