Posted February 4, 200916 yr Non-Ohio, I know! What a shame! Fire engulfs landmark Chicago cathedral Crews extinguish blaze at 134-year-old Holy Name Cathedral http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29012800/ CHICAGO - Firefighters extinguished an early morning blaze in frigid temperatures Wednesday at Holy Name Cathedral, a 134-year-old Chicago landmark and the seat of Cardinal Francis George. Flames had shot through the church's roof for about an hour before they were replaced by plumes of white smoke. There were no injuries. Holy Name's pastor, the Rev. Daniel Mayall, said the fire set off the sprinkler system, which kept the flames from the cathedral's extensive wood paneling and ornate decorations. The fire appeared to have been burning for awhile when a worker discovered it, said Chicago Fire Commissioner John W. Brooks. Neighboring buildings not damaged The church and its nearby buildings, including a school and rectory, take up an entire block in downtown Chicago. The fire hasn't damaged those buildings. Restoration and repair work on the building was recently completed after engineers determined that structural weaknesses in the roof caused a 10-pound piece of decorative wood to fall 70 feet from the ceiling last February. No one was injured in the incident. The original Holy Name was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and the new cathedral was reopened four years later. Chicago Archdiocese Chancellor Jimmy Lago called the fire a tragedy and said his heart goes out to Holy Name's parishioners.
February 4, 200916 yr Yikes.. I'm actually supposed to be in a wedding there in June as a groomsman for one of my best friends.
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