First Baptist Dallas FIRE
Massive 4-alarm blaze at historic First Baptist Dallas “knocked down and contained”: Fire officials
A massive downtown four-alarm fire at historic First Baptist Dallas has been “knocked down and contained,” fire officials said late Friday.
The initial call reporting the fire at 1717 San Jacinto St. came in just after 6 p.m. Friday. Fire officials upgraded it from a three-alarm fire to a four-alarm fire at about 8:15 p.m.
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A spokesman for the church initially said heavy smoke was coming from the historic sanctuary.
“The structure has largely collapsed, which has caused many void spaces with ‘hot spots,'” Dallas Fire-Rescue said in a release just before 10 p.m. “While there is no indication that the fire will escalate, DFR is expected to maintain an extended presence on the scene to extinguish all lingering areas of fire and to maintain a safe perimeter around the unstable building.”
No injuries have been reported. The fire’s cause is under investigation, Dallas Fire-Rescue said.
The sanctuary was opened in 1890 and was in use until they moved into their new facility in 2013, said Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the 16,000-member, 156-year-old church.
Considered a significant landmark in downtown Dallas, the church said the sanctuary was “the site of visits from Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, and George H. W. Bush. President Donald Trump visited the new worship center of the church in 2021.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue worked to extinguish a 4-alarm fire in Downtown Dallas Friday evening.
A fourth alarm was requested at 8:14 p.m.
According to DFR, the initial call came in at 6:05 p.m. to a building on fire located at 1717 San Jacinto Street.
Smoke from viewer videos showed black smoke billowing near First Baptist Dallas church in downtown.
The structure involved is the secondary chapel of First Baptist Dallas, according to DFR.
When crews arrived, they were met with heavy smoke and fire conditions involving the structure.
Fire crews began battling the blaze and a second alarm was requested at 6:20 p.m.
According to DFR, the fire has been knocked down and contained. The structure has largely collapsed, which has caused many void spaces with “hot spots”.
The pastor of First Baptist Dallas, Dr. Robert Jeffress released a statement Friday evening saying:
“PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH.
We have experienced a fire in the Historic Sanctuary.
To our knowledge, no one is hurt or injured, and we thank God for His protection. He is sovereign even in the most difficult times.
‘And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’ – Romans 8:28
We will keep you updated as we prepare to come together to worship.”
While there is no indication that the fire will escalate, DFR is expected to maintain an extended presence on the scene to extinguish all lingering areas of fire and to maintain a safe perimeter around the unstable building.
There have been no injuries reported in association with this incident. The cause of the fire will be under investigation.
Ben Lovvorn is Executive Pastor and said the fire was contained to in their historic sanctuary. He was on scene and spoke to NBC 5 after firefighters contained the blaze.
“We also know that the church is not comprised of brick and mortar and buildings, the church is the people. And the people serve under the lordship of Jesus Christ. So, First Baptist if going to stand strong and we’ll be back together worshiping again soon,” said Lovvorn.
Source: NBCDFW
