(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A church that's more than 100 years old caught on fire on the Far South Side early Saturday morning and was severely damaged. No injuries were reported, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
About 100 Chicago firefighters responded to the fire at Advocate United Church of Christ in the 10200 block of South Avenue L at about 3:30 a.m., said CFD Chief Walter Schroeder.
The fire was mainly contained to the roof and the steeple of the church collapsed from the flames, Schroeder said. The church and neighboring homes were evacuated.
Malcolm Griffith, the pastor of the church, spoke to WBBM about the moment the church steeple fell.
"It's about 85-90 feet in the air and when it fell, it split the tree in half and hit the house next door to the church." He also said the church was built in 1892.
It was not immediately reported how the church caught on fire or where it started.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2023. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram





