France Historic church building in Dallas damaged by fire

A historic part of a church in the US city of Dallas has been partially destroyed in a fire. No people were injured in the fire at the 19th-century First Baptist Dallas Church complex in the city center, as reported by the local CBS station in the state of Texas on Friday (local time). The fire department brought the flames under control, but the complex partially collapsed. The cause of the fire was initially unknown.

During the extinguishing work, a major alarm was sounded in the city center of Dallas. The cloud of smoke could also be seen from a distance in photos. Close-ups showed a glowing red fireball in the historic part of the building, which according to media reports was built in 1890.

The First Baptist Dallas Church itself was founded in 1868. According to the New York Times, it is an extensive complex consisting of several interconnected buildings.

The historic part that has now been damaged is a sanctuary with stained glass windows and an organ. "A piece of Dallas history is gone," the newspaper quoted eyewitness Gavin Nicholson as saying.