Raging fire destroys Dallas megachurch’s historic chapel 

A raging fire tore through the historic First Baptist Dallas megachurch in Texas on Friday night, collapsing its red-brick chapel built in 1890.

The blaze started just after 6 p.m. in the Historic Sanctuary, a secondary chapel. By 7:30 p.m., the structure had partially collapsed, according to Dallas-Fire Rescue.

It took 60 units until 9:30 p.m. to contain the 4-alarm fire, but by then, the chapel had largely collapsed.

No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress expressed gratitude for the safety of everyone and praised the first responders.

The sanctuary, the main worship place until 12 years ago, held many memories for the congregation, including Jeffress’s own baptism, the New York Post has reported.

Smoke filled the night sky and could be seen up to six miles away, with onlookers feeling the heat from half a block away.

Written by B.C. Begley