A fire Wednesday afternoon consumed True Light Temple of Praise church in Ford Heights.
The Ford Heights Fire Department said in a statement firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the roof when arriving at 1602 Drexel Ave.
In photos and videos posted to social media, the structure can be seen to have been reduced to smoldering ruins by the fire.
The Cook County sheriff’s office, which polices Ford Heights, said police observed the building engulfed in flames and smoke.
Firefighters fight the blaze Wednesday at True Light Temple of Praise church. (Ford Heights Fire Department)
The Fire Department said it fought the blaze from outside the building. A defensive stance is usually taken when fighting the fire from inside the building is considered unacceptably dangerous, such as if there’s a risk of collapse.
Two maintenance workers were treated for smoke inhalation and released, the sheriff’s office said. No one else was in the building at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the department said. The sheriff’s office said that as of Thursday morning the cause of the fire did not appear suspicious.
elewis@chicagotribune.com
