A historic church in Dallas, Texas, experienced a significant fire on July 19, 2024. The fire broke out at the First Baptist Church of Dallas around 6:05 p.m., initially reported as a two-alarm incident but quickly escalating to a four-alarm blaze.
The historic sanctuary, built in the late 1800s, was involved in the fire. No injuries have been reported despite having over 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day.
Firefighters from Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived at the scene to heavy smoke and fire conditions. The roof partially collapsed around 7:35 p.m., re-igniting the fire and requiring a fourth alarm at 8:14 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it has been reported that no life has been lost.
First Baptist Dallas, with a membership of nearly 16,000 people, was founded in 1868 and is the only downtown Dallas Church still on its original site. The historic sanctuary holds significant historical value as it was visited by several U.S. presidents including Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Donald Trump.
The church released a statement expressing gratitude for no injuries or fatalities and emphasizing that the church is not just bricks and mortar but composed of its people who remain determined to reach the world for the gospel of Christ.
Fire crews are expected to maintain an extended presence on the scene to extinguish all lingering areas of fire and maintain a safe perimeter around the unstable building.
