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Massive Fire Destroys Historic Manhattan Church

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP)-- An historic Manhattan church was engulfed in flames Sunday evening.

Firefighters continued to battle the massive fire late Sunday night at Serbian Cathedral of Saint Sava on West 25th Street, which began around 7 p.m.

It almost looked like a blow torch, intense flames shooting out of what was once a beautiful stained glass window over the doors of the 166-year-old church in Chelsea.

"My stepfather was in there, but he's fine. He just has smoke inhalation so everybody left thank God," parishioner Alex Elic told CBS2's Brian Conybeare.

His stepfather is the church caretaker who went into the burning sanctuary to try to douse the flames, but it was already too late and the blaze had rapidly spread.

Authorities said no serious juries have been reported. Parts of the roof collapsed and smoke billowed from the Gothic Revival style building.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro called it a very sad day.

"No one has been injured, there is no one reported missing, and that's the good news for today. The bad news is this church has been destroyed by fire," he said.

Hours later firefighters were still pouring water on the charred remains of the building. All that was left standing was the church façade and that too was in danger of collapse. It's possible that the entire structure may have to be torn down.

The fire broke out on the same day Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Easter. The church website listed services that morning and an Easter luncheon at 1 p.m.

Witnesses posted to social media documenting the devastating flames.

Fire trucks and emergency response vehicles lined several blocks as police tried to clear pedestrians from the area, WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported. The four-alarm fire called on 39 FDNY units with almost 150 firefighters assisting the scene. 

About 700 people had filled the church earlier Sunday, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported. Parishioners said the church was one of the only places for Serbians to worship in the city. 

A church priest, Father Djokan Majstorovic, says he felt like he was "in a nightmare'' as he tried to get to the fire scene that was blocked off by firefighters.

The church was built in the early 1850s and was designated a city landmark in 1968.

"I'm still in shock you know, I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really sad," Elic said.

There is no word yet on what started the fire.

 

 

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