DALLAS — Dallas Fire-Rescue crews responded to a fire at Iglesia Adventista Church near Dallas Love Field Tuesday afternoon.
Fire officials responded to the fire at the vacant, two-story church in the 7700 block of Denton Drive at 1:18 p.m. Tuesday. Heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the building as crews doused it with water. Witnesses steps away from the blaze shared video with WFAA shortly after firefighters arrived.
The fire was extinguished shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. No injuries were reported.
"According to investigators, the fire began in the main sanctuary and spread throughout. Once it made its way through the roof, the flames spread to a separate building (also part of the church) behind it," a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson said. "Statements from witnesses and a church representative indicated that the building had been vacant for 'many years.'"
After it was extinguished, fire officials say, "the damage was such that Command ordered the demolition of the main sanctuary due to the imminent collapse of the unsupported walls that were left standing after the fire was extinguished. Due to the totality of the circumstances, to include the extensive fire damage and limited access (due to collapse), investigators were unable to rule out multiple causes for the fire or determine an ignition sequence. As a result, the cause of the fire will be listed as undetermined."
WFAA reporter Cole Sullivan reports high winds may have contributed to the fire's spread.
Love Field initially reported aircraft traffic was being redirected to Runway 31R after the fire started because of the smoke but reported all runways clear for use by about 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Dallas church fire
Obadiah Knight Elementary School in the 2600 block of Anson Road near the church was evacuated as a precaution Tuesday afternoon, but was not affected, a Dallas ISD spokesperson said.
"Since our school was not affected, it was out of an abundance of precaution and request by Dallas Fire-Rescue to evacuate to the church across the street. A smooth dismissal is occurring there," the spokesperson told WFAA.
This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as additional information becomes available.
Other headlines: