CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — An East Side family was evacuated from their home Sunday morning after an abandoned church next door caught fire, Chicago Fire Department officials said.
A CFD spokesperson said more than 100 firefighters responded to the fire at 10310 S. Avenue H, which was once the Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Church. No injuries were reported.
Dispatchers received a call around 4:30 a.m. from a person who said they noticed smoke coming from the church, which was built in 1919. Officials said firefighters responded immediately.
When firefighters arrived, CFD officials said the walls of the church were bent, which meant the firefighters had to go on the defensive. Photos shared by the fire department showed that the roof of the church caved in.
CFD’s response to the fire involved three tower ladders and multiple hand lines.
More than five hours after firefighters first responded to the scene, CFD said companies were still “chasing hotspots” at the church.
A CFD spokesperson said firefighters evacuated a family of four from their home our of fear that the church walls would collapse.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)
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