Parish Families Seek Children |
CHICAGO, Dec. 1 - (UPI) - Tragedy hit the parish of Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic Church Monday when fire swept the church's school. |
Many of the families of the predominantly Italian and middle class neighborhood were involved in the tragedy, with either the loss or injury of children. |
Mothers and fathers rushed to the scene, wandering through streets seeking their children. Many youngsters fled the blazing 3-story school coatless and hatless and were taken in by residents living near the school. |
Parents were advised by police and fire department loudspeakers in the church parish house to claim their children. Neighbors also were urged to bring children they took in to the parish house for reunions with the parents. |
The neighborhood is inhabited by Italian, Polish and German families - and is a section of Chicago's vast West Side. |
The brick, wood-trimmed 3-story school originally was the parish church, but was converted when a new place of worship was constructed. |
The school was filled to capacity of 1,700. |