Sanctuary demolished after large fire at Northwest Dallas church
DALLAS — A large fire at a church near Love Field on Tuesday caused extensive damage, leading authorities to order what was left standing to be demolished.
Dallas Fire-Rescue crews were called to a fire at Iglesia Adventista Church on Denton Avenue around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Crews began fighting the fire from inside, but "the situation quickly escalated and fire began to come through the roof," according to the department.
Second and third alarms had to be called, resulting in 60-70 firefighters working to "surround and drown the fire with hand lines, master streams and two aerial ladders." DFR said the fire also spread to a second church building.
At nearby Dallas Love Field, the huge plume of smoke from the fire led officials to briefly close the runway on the southwest side of the airport and redirect all flights to the other runway. By 3 p.m., the runway was cleared for use.
The church had been vacant for many years, according to a DFR spokesperson, although homeless people were often seen there. No one was there at the time of the fire, and no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire will remain undetermined due to the heavy damage to the building.
