Massive 4-alarm blaze at historic First Baptist Dallas "knocked down and contained": Fire officials

DALLAS – A massive downtown four-alarm fire at historic First Baptist Dallas has been "knocked down and contained," fire officials said late Friday.

A fire at 1717 San Jacinto St. was reported just after 6 p.m. Friday. By 8:15 p.m., fire officials had upgraded it from a three-alarm to a four-alarm fire.

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.

Church officials highlighted the sanctuary's historical significance, noting it hosted visits from Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush. They also said President Donald Trump visited the church's new worship center in 2021.

"We are grateful that no life has been lost that we know of even though we just had 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day," said Jeffress, who grew up in First Baptist Dallas, was baptized in the sanctuary there at age 9 and ordained there at age 21.

"As tragic as the loss of this old sanctuary is, we are grateful that the church is not bricks and wood but composed of over 16,000 people who are determined more than ever before to reach the world for the gospel of Christ."

According to the Dallas Fire Department, crews arrived at 6:09 p.m. to heavy smoke and fire.  A second alarm was requested at 6:20 p.m. It was upgraded from a two-alarm to a three-alarm fire at about 7:30 p.m. and then to a four-alarm fire at about 8:15 p.m.

According to CBS News Texas meteorologist Jeff Ray, smoke and heat from the fire could be picked up on radar. 

In:
• Fire
• North Texas
• Dallas