Extra-Alarm Fire Burning At Abandoned Church Rectory

CHICAGO (CBS) - Firefighters are battling an extra-alarm fire at the rectory of an abandoned church Wednesday night in the Grand Crossing neighborhood.

The fire started about 7:45 p.m. in the Imani House, the rectory for the unoccupied St. Laurence Church at 1300 E. 72nd St., Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.

The blaze, which was elevated to a second alarm, was contained to the second floor and attic area of the large 2 ½-story brick building, Langford said. The brick building is connected to the church through a breezeway, but the blaze did not travel through the walkway and the church abandoned church is unaffected by the fire.

About 80 firefighters were called to the scene under a 2-11 alarm for the fire, in part to ensure the fire does not spread to the church building, Langford said.

At 8:45 p.m., firefighters remained on the scene battling the blaze and no flames were showing from the rectory, which appeared to be abandoned as well and had a "No Trespassing" sign.

No injuries have been reported, Langford said.

St. Laurence Church was closed by the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2002; both it and the rectory were built in 1911, according to the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.