A four-alarm fire broke out in the steeple of an East Baltimore church that has been in the community for at least 150 years. At 0907 hours, Box Alarm 6-20 sent Engines 6, 33, 23 (RIT), 2, 5, Trucks 1, 5, and Battalion Chiefs 2, 6 to Aisquith & E. Eager Streets for the building fire, reported to be a church. Truck 1 arrived with a large, 2 story church with smoke showing. Battalion Chief 2 assumed command and made it a working fire upon arrival. Shortly after a second alarm was requested. Interior crews from Engines 6 and Truck 1 made entry into the building but had difficulty reach to the steeple are where the fire was located. Due to safety concerns all members were ordered out of the church and companies would go into defensive operations. Ladder pipe operations were set up on all sides of the church. Third and fourth alarms were struck to as the steeple and chase area became fully involved. With the inevitable collapse of the steeple, all companies set up out of the collapse zone and several houses neighboring the church were evacuated. The master stream from Tower 81 was able to knock down the remaining firer after the steeple collapsed and ladder pipes continued to pour water until all hot spots were wet down. The operation was scaled back after about 2 hours and units remained on the scene an extended period of time for overhaul and to evaluate the integrity of the chase area of the church.