ATF joins investigation into four-alarm fire at historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary

DALLAS – Investigators, including from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are still investigating the massive four-alarm fire that broke out Friday at the historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary.

A spokesperson said Dallas Fire-Rescue has asked the ATF to participate in the investigation.

“It’s not standard, but it’s not unheard of,” said Robert Borse, a spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue. “We requested it because the first callers said they heard a ‘boom.’ That’s been proven to be false.”

Sara Abel of ATF’s Dallas Field Division said her agency was asked to assist with the investigation “because it is one of the ‘services’ we provide at AFT.”

“It does not necessarily mean the case has any federal nexus,” Abel said in an email. “Our certified fire investigators are highly trained and are frequently called upon to assist at many types of fire scenes.

“In the early stages of this investigation, there are no indications that this is a crime. It is too early to say.”

Abel said the investigation is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Pastor Robert Jeffress said the church will combine its usual three services and hold one joint service at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St. in downtown Dallas.

The service will also be livestreamed at icampus.firstdallas.org.

“We continue to praise God for His protective hand on our church, and are thankful that no one was injured,” said Jeffress, the church’s senior pastor. “We are also thankful for the first responders who helped contain the fire in our historic sanctuary.”

“We know that God is in control and that even in difficult times, He is sovereign over all things,” Executive Pastor Dr. Ben Lovvorn said in a press release.

First Baptist Dallas’ historic sanctuary, opened in 1890 and in use until 2013, is a major downtown landmark. It has hosted visits from Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump.

The fire, which was reported at 1717 San Jacinto St., was under control Friday evening.

Borse said the church must install barriers around the historic sanctuary, provide 24-hour security and submit a report from a structural engineer within 24 hours.

“If the structure is unstable, the structure will be demolished,” Borse said. “DFR will remain on site until structural integrity is determined or the structure is demolished.”

On Friday, Dallas firefighters arrived at 6:09 p.m. to find heavy smoke and fire. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm at 6:20 p.m., a third alarm at 7:30 p.m., and a fourth alarm at 8:15 p.m.

According to Borse, most fire operations were halted between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday.

No one was hurt.