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Authorities Investigating Suspicious Fire At NW Side Church

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Northwest Side church is labeled a crime scene following a fire and is under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

ATF investigators told CBS 2's Courtney Gousman that the fire at Outreach Community Church is suspicious. The Chicago Police Bomb and Arson unit and the Chicago Fire Department were also on the scene.

Firefighters were called around 3:20 Saturday morning to the church in the 4300 block of West Parker Avenue and the fire was reined in and put out.

A deacon at the church he arrived at the church early yesterday morning and found that it had been vandalized.

"When I arrived, 2 bricks were thrown through the front door, so I contacted the pastor and Ii stayed all day, didn't go to work and I made sure the door was repaired," said Deacon Sam Jones.

This church is considered very diverse and has about 300 members. It's been located in this building for the last 13 years.

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