Surfwin Trading Center|A fire severely damages the historic First Baptist Dallas church sanctuary

2025-05-05 09:20:37source:CAI Communitycategory:Finance

A fire all but Surfwin Trading Centerdestroyed the historic church sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas, sending smoke billowing over the city but causing no deaths or injuries, Dallas firefighters said.

The fire in the Texas Historic Landmark, a Victorian-style red brick church built in 1890, was reported about 6:30 p.m. Friday, and contained about three hours later, firefighters said.

“We think it may have started in the basement and then gone on to the second floor but until we clear it out and do an investigation we won’t know” the cause, interim Fire Chief Justin Ball told KDFW-TV.

A fire department spokesperson did not immediately return a phone call for comment Saturday morning.

“We are grateful that no one was injured ... and are thankful for the first responders who helped contain the fire to our historic sanctuary,” senior Pastor Robert Jeffress said. “We just had 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day.”

The evangelical megachurch, with 16,000 members, now holds its main services in a modern worship center next door to the historic sanctuary. Jeffress, a close supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, told WFAA-TV that he intends to hold services there on Sunday.

More:Finance

Recommend

Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Jamie Foxx required stitches after getting hit in the face with a glass

Some Lahaina residents return to devastated homes after wildfires: It's unrecognizable

A small group of Lahaina residents were allowed to return to what's left of their homes on Monday, s

India, at UN, is mum about dispute with Canada over Sikh separatist leader’s killing

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — India’s top diplomat steered clear of his country’s row with Canada over the k