A fire that erupted at the First Baptist Dallas church in the city's downtown has caused significant damage to a historic section of the church complex. The blaze, which broke out on Friday, appeared to have resulted in the collapse of the roof in the church's 19th-century sanctuary.

The church's pastor, Reverend Robert Jeffress, expressed his concerns about the extent of the damage, mentioning the possibility of either recreating the sanctuary or exploring alternative options. Dallas Fire-Rescue has not yet provided specific details about the fire, but according to a spokesman, part of the structure has collapsed.

Eyewitnesses, including Gavin Nicholson, who lives in a nearby high-rise apartment complex, reported seeing flames and observing what seemed to be a roof collapse. Nicholson, who is also the chief of staff for a state representative, expressed sadness over the loss of a piece of Dallas history.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as the fire occurred after a summer Bible school event that had concluded, involving approximately 2,000 children. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

First Baptist Dallas church, a sprawling complex comprised of interconnected buildings, is a well-known landmark in the city. The historic sanctuary, constructed in 1890, had been used for smaller contemporary services and was renowned for its stained glass and prominent pipe organ. It also served as a popular wedding venue.

Reverend Jeffress assured that the other parts of the church complex did not sustain significant damage. Responding to the blaze shortly after 6 p.m. local time, over 60 firefighting units worked to douse the flames for approximately five hours until the fire was finally contained.

O.S. Hawkins, a former pastor of the church, referred to the incident as a "tragically sad day" for the congregation, expressing his condolences. The First Baptist Dallas church, established in 1868, has a membership of 16,000 and is located downtown, near prominent landmarks such as office buildings, museums, and hotels. It annually attracts both local attendees and tourists through events like its highly-publicized "Freedom Sunday" celebration.

The church released a statement on social media expressing gratitude towards the emergency workers who responded to the scene. They also confirmed their intent to hold a meeting on Sunday, although the exact location is still to be determined. Reverend Jeffress emphasized that ultimately, the church is not defined by its physical structure, but by the people it serves.