NEW YORK — A major fire that sent plumes of smoke billowing into the skyline heavily damaged a historic church in New York City on Sunday.

Authorities reported one minor injury in the blaze that started just before 7 p.m. at the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava in Manhattan.

Three hours later the main body of the fire was knocked down, but firefighters still were putting out small pockets of flames, officials said. Authorities did not say what caused the fire.

The fire broke out on the day Orthodox Christians around the world were celebrating Easter. About 700 parishioners had celebrated Easter Mass earlier in the day and enjoyed a luncheon, but the cathedral was empty when the fire started.

A building caretaker attempted to rush inside when he noticed the fire, but was forced back by the flames, fire officials said. He suffered minor smoke inhalation.

The church, on West 25th Street, was built in the early 1850s and was an Episcopal church until 1915.

It was designated a city landmark in 1968.