Firefighters battling massive 4-alarm blaze at First Baptist Dallas
DALLAS – Firefighters are battling a massive downtown four-alarm fire at First Baptist Dallas.
The initial call came in just after 6 p.m. at 1717 San Jacinto St.
A spokesman for the church initially said heavy smoke was coming from the historic sanctuary.
The church is listed on the City of Dallas' Historical Commission website. 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 church.
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.
First Baptist has a complex of buildings in the downtown area. Streets around the church are closed.
According to CBS News Texas meteorologist Jeff Ray, smoke and heat from the fire could be picked up on radar.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
