Grant Preston:A fire severely damages the historic First Baptist Dallas church sanctuary

2025-05-07 11:14:13source:Poinbank Exchangecategory:reviews

A fire all but Grant Prestondestroyed 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:reviews

Recommend

Average rate on 30

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, a welcome tren

Fact-checking Apple TV's 'Masters of the Air': What Austin Butler show gets right (and wrong)

Author David McCullough ("John Adams") had some advice for historian Donald Miller when word arrived

Super Bowl bound! Taylor Swift shares a kiss with Travis Kelce as Chiefs defeat Ravens: See pics

Karma is the guy on the Chiefs heading to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas, Nevada, next month.Taylor Swif