Firefighters extinguish fire at abandoned church near downtown Palm Springs - Desert Sun

Palm Springs firefighters extinguished a fire at an abandoned church near downtown Palm Springs on Thursday. 

The fire was located at the historic Community Church at 284 West Baristo Road, near the Palm Springs Women's Club and Del Marcos Hotel. PSFD spokesperson Nathan Gunkel said there was heavy fire inside the building.

There were no occupants and only one injury to a firefighter from heat exhaustion, Gunkel said. The firefighter was not taken to the hospital. 

South Cahuilla Road, between West Baristo and West Arenas Road, were closed due to the fire, Palm Springs police said on Twitter. West Baristo Road, between South Belardo and South Cahuilla Road, also was closed.

Previously destroyed by another fire in September 2013, the church was constructed in the 1930s and designated a historic site in 1989. The church, along with the closed Orchid Tree Inn, is now the site of the proposed Orchid Tree Resort & Spa. 

But the luxury hotel, proposed by developer Richard Weintraub in 2014, has experienced several delays. It is currently expected for construction to commence by Jan. 15, 2023 and the hotel to open by June 15, 2025.

But several councilmembers, during a Nov. 18 City Council meeting, were uncertain Weintraub would adhere to the city's amended agreement with him they approved that night. 

"Most people I talk to who are neighbors of the project who were originally excited and supportive of the project begin their conversations with me now [saying] 'you know this is never going to get done,'" then-Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton said. 

There have also been issues with trespassing and drug use at the historic site. The city's agreement with Weintraub includes ways for these crimes to be addressed, such as installing a surveillance camera and hiring a security guard for night time.

The fire department said the cause is under investigation. 

Previous reporting by Desert Sun staff writer Paul Albani-Burgio is included in this report.  

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.