CLAYTON COUNTY, GA — Clayton County fire officials say they had every right to remove a dozen teens living in a local church basement after they discovered the facility was not authorized with the state and was riddled with fire code violations.

Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services held a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday to provide more details about a recent raid at a local church that led to 12 minors being removed from the premises.

Officials say the teens were found living in the basement of the Now Faith Church on Rex Road, which the fire chief says was not designed or approved as a residential dwelling.

“Every safeguard that protects life in a fire, detection, notification, suppression, and safe egress was absent,” said Clayton County Fire Marshal Chris Cameron.

Following the raid, the minors were taken into the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

The pastor of the church has voiced frustration over the timing of the operation, claiming it took place in the middle of the night.

Authorities have not yet commented on the pastor’s concerns, but told WSB Radio that officials came to the property around 9PM, not midnight.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons and Ann Powell contributed to this story.