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Crews Battle Blaze at Landmark Chicago Cathedral

Those inside escaped without injury

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 4, 2009 9:20 AM CST

(AP) – Firefighters battled an early morning blaze in frigid temperatures today day at Holy Name Cathedral, a 134-year-old Chicago landmark and the seat of Cardinal Francis George. Flames shot through the church's roof for about an hour before they were replaced by plumes of white smoke. The fire appeared to have been burning for a while when discovered, but there were no injuries.

"Our main concern now is to try to keep the fire out of the main sanctuary area," said fire department spokesman Larry Langford. "The fire is confined to the roof of the church, and the attic area. Some people were inside the building when the fire broke out—they've all been taken out safely."

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Chicago firefighters work in freezing temperatures on an extra-alarm fire at the Holy Name Cathedral, a 134-year-old landmark and the seat of Cardinal Francis George, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago firefighters work in freezing temperatures on an extra-alarm fire at the Holy Name Cathedral, the seat of Cardinal Francis George, in Chicago, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago firefighters work in freezing temperatures on an extra-alarm fire at the Holy Name Cathedral, a 134-year-old Chicago landmark and the seat of Cardinal Francis George, in Chicago today. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago firefighters work in freezing temperatures on a extra-alarm fire at the Holy Name Cathedral, the seat of Cardinal Francis George, in Chicago, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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To rebuild something so beautiful is going to be hard. I'm really sad, I don't know what we'll do now - Parishioner Kathy Sorvillo, who lives a block from the cathedral

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Crews Battle Blaze at Landmark Chicago Cathedral

Those inside escaped without injury

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