ROGERS PARK — An afternoon blaze left a Rogers Park church damaged on Christmas, though authorities said no one was hurt.
The fire started inside The Way Mission church at 2003 W. Howard St. about 2:55 p.m., according to police and Chicago Fire Department spokesman Will Knight.
The church appeared to sustain some damage. It wasn't immediately clear how the fire started or the extent of the destruction.
A window of the church appeared to be broken, leaving shards of glass and charred material on the scene. Stockings were seen hanging near the broken window.
Rashid Mehmood, the owner of neighboring business Tasty Sub, said he smelled smoke and thought his restaurant could be on fire. But then, he stepped outside and said he saw two men come out of the church.
"They were running and saying 'call the fire brigade'," said Mehmood, 35.
Mehmood said some of the smoke came into the sub shop.
No one was hurt, but a few people were displaced, said Officer Veejay Zala, a police spokesman.
A representative from the church could not be reached for comment.