Historic Dallas church sanctuary partially destroyed in a 4-alarm fire

A historic church built in Dallas, Texas, in the 1800s was partially destroyed in a fire on Friday, including a partially collapsed roof. 

The fire in the historic sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, located in downtown Dallas, became a four-alarm fire after the roof partially collapsed, but it was later contained, according to Fox 4 News.

Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress said that no congregants were harmed. 

"PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH," Jeffress said on the social media platform, X. "We have experienced a fire in the Historic Sanctuary. To our knowledge, no one is hurt or injured, and we thank God for His protection. He is sovereign even in the most difficult times."

According to local reports, investigators believe that the fire started in the basement. 

"Once the building is deemed structurally safe, investigators will go in to investigate the cause," Fox 4 reporter David Sentendrey wrote on X.

First Baptist Dallas was started in 1868, however the red brick building, known as the historic sanctuary, was built in 1890.