A fire severely damages the historic First Baptist Dallas church sanctuary

A fire all but destroyed the historic church sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas, sending smoke billowing over the city but causing no deaths or injuries, Dallas firefighters said.

The fire in the Texas Historic Landmark, a Victorian-style red brick church built in 1890, was reported about 6:30 p.m. Friday, and contained about three hours later, firefighters said.

“We think it may have started in the basement and then gone on to the second floor but until we clear it out and do an investigation we won’t know” the cause, interim Fire Chief Justin Ball told KDFW-TV.

A fire department spokesperson did not immediately return a phone call for comment Saturday morning.

“We are grateful that no one was injured ... and are thankful for the first responders who helped contain the fire to our historic sanctuary,” senior Pastor Robert Jeffress said. “We just had 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day.”

The evangelical megachurch, with 16,000 members, now holds its main services in a modern worship center next door to the historic sanctuary. Jeffress, a close supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, told WFAA-TV that he intends to hold services there on Sunday.

Firefighters respond to a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

The First Baptist Dallas church's steeple stands as firefighters battle a fire at the church Friday, July 19, 2024, in Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Fire burns inside the First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters battle a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in downtown Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Firefighters battle a fire at First Baptist Dallas church on Friday, July 19, 2024, in Dallas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

POMONA, Calif. (AP) — Three people were hurt aboard a single-engine plane that crashed Sunday near a Southern California dragstrip where fans were gathered for the finals of a racing event, authorities said.

At least two parked vehicles on the ground were struck when the Piper PA-32 crashed around 11:40 a.m. near the dragstrip in Pomona, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Nobody on the ground was hurt.

The crash happened while the plane was apparently attempting to land at nearby Brackett Field Airport, according to a statement posted by the National Hot Rod Association, or NHRA.

Four people were on the plane. Three of them were hospitalized, including two with critical injuries, LA County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh told the Los Angeles Times.

Photos and videos from the scene showed crews working in a parking area alongside the track, where parked vehicles appeared damaged.

The raceway is hosting the NHRA finals that began Thursday. Races were paused Sunday as emergency crews responded, but the event later resumed.

The FAA is investigating the crash.

This image taken from video provided by Jerry Jordan shows the fire department and others working at the site of a single-engine plane crash Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, near a Southern California racing event, in Pomona, Calif., about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. (Jerry Jordan via AP)

This image taken from video provided by Jerry Jordan shows the fire department and others working at the site of a single-engine plane crash Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, near a Southern California racing event, in Pomona, Calif., about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. (Jerry Jordan via AP)