Huge fire ravages historic Woodlawn church

The historic Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Catholic church in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood was struck by fire early Wednesday morning, bringing reminders of a blaze that almost destroyed the church in 1976.

The fire began when improperly stored rags used in the application of a floor stain spontaneously combusted, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

"They were repairing the choir loft area, the floor, using a stain, a product which has a lot of precautions on the bottle, on how you're supposed to store the rags you use. It's notorious for setting itself on fire," fire department spokesman Larry Langford said.

Damage to the 91-year-old church was "extensive," but the hulking limestone structure itself was left intact and salvageable, Langford said.

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