ROCKFORD, IL—Flames engulfed a condemned church building Wednesday evening in downtown Rockford.
Several Rockford Fire Department engine companies were on the scene, fighting the blaze at Kishwaukee and Walnut streets and First Avenue.
The fire sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky over downtown Rockford. Smoke could be seen from miles away.
The former Rockford Masonic Cathedral, 607 Walnut St., dates back to 1869 and sits just inside the Haight Village Historic District. Officials said the building had been boarded up for some time. It was last known as the Metro Christian Centre.
The fire was first reported around 6:45 p.m. and quickly spread throughout the church necessitating a response from as many as 30 firefighters, Rockford Fire Chief Derek Bergsten said.
The chief confirmed that the building was not in use. Several windows had been boarded up, and there was no electricity going to the building.
Old, dry timbers that frame the church are helping to fuel the fire, he added.
In addition to battling intense the flames, the chief said firefighters also are contending with hazards from the church's asbestos roof.
Bergsten said he expected firefighters to be at the scene throughout the night.
A demolition crew likely will be brought to the scene in the morning, the chief said, and Kishwaukee and Walnut streets may be closed to traffic.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. On Wednesday evening, police and fire inspectors were knocking on doors in the neighborhood to see if anyone noticed anything suspicious.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the non emergency number of the Rockford Fire Department at 815-966-2900 or Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
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