Thursday, February 05, 2009
CHICAGO —
Officials say an electrical malfunction may have caused a fire that damaged Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral.Chicago Fire Department spokesman Will Knight said Thursday investigators have ruled out arson but don't know the exact origin or cause of the blaze at the 134-year-old church.
Knight says investigators are focusing on a system that keeps ice from building up on the edge of the cathedral's roof.
Wednesday's blaze severely damaged the church's attic, left gaping holes in the roof and caused water damage throughout the sanctuary.
Officials expect the church to be closed for months, but they continue to offer Mass in other places.
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Associated Press Writer Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
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On the Net:
Cathedral: http://holynamecathedral.org
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