NEW YORK -- A taxi caught fire in front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday, sending a dark plume of smoke rising high above the church.

IMAGES: Taxi Burns Outside St. Patrick's Cathedral

A crowd of onlookers gathered as the taxi burned shortly after 4:30 p.m.

The fire was extinguished by 5 p.m. A part of 5th Avenue was shut down, but reopened at around 6 p.m.

Police said after speaking with the cab driver, no charges will be filed against him.

Witnesses said he got out of the cab and ran away after it caught fire.

Police had immediately evacuated people on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51 streets.

Although the blaze broke out directly in front of the main entrance to the cathedral, police said it is not considered suspicious.

The intense heat of the fire could be felt across the street in front of Rockefeller Center.

Pope Benedict XVI is expected to deliver Mass at St. Patrick's on Saturday morning.