Ford Heights, IL – Fire crews rushed to a massive blaze at a church in Ford Heights Wednesday afternoon, with thick smoke and flames visible for miles across Chicago’s south suburbs.
According to WGN-TV, firefighters responded around 2:40 p.m. to the church located at 1602 Drexel Avenue after reports of a structure fire. Aerial footage from SkyCam9 showed the building’s roof fully engulfed as heavy black smoke poured into the sky.
As of 4:30 p.m., firefighters remained on scene working to bring the flames under control. The extent of the damage and whether anyone was inside at the time have not yet been confirmed. No injuries have been reported as of early evening.
Residents in the area were urged to avoid the scene as emergency crews continued operations. Nearby roads were temporarily closed while hoses and emergency vehicles surrounded the burning structure.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and an investigation will begin once it’s safe for inspectors to enter the site.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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