Dallas Fire-Rescue Press Release

Contact: Lt. Doug Dickerson, PIO Date: August 16, 2001

Office: 214-670-7949 Immediate Release

Pager : 214-670-4115,code 9885

Four Alarm Fire Damages

South Dallas Church

Date of Incident: August 16,2001

Location: 3028 S. Malcolm X Blvd / Warren United Methodist Church

Response: 4-alarms, 18 pieces of firefighting equipment, 72 firefighters

Times: 1^st alarm—2:07 a.m. 2^nd alarm—2:21 a.m. 3^rd alarm—2:30 a.m.

4^th alarm—2:40 a.m. Under Control @ 3:27 a.m.

Cause: Under Investigation

Injuries: None

Damages: 250,000--Structure

50,000--Content

Details: Firefighters arrived to the 3-story brick church to find smoke coming from the back. The first units on the scene battled heavy smoke conditions searching for the fire inside the structure. The fire started in an equipment/maintenance room on the lower level of the building, behind the main sanctuary. Fire spread inside the wall to the second and third floors but firefighters were able to keep the fire in check on the upper floors. There is considerable smoke damage throughout the building, which includes a day care center. Fire investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire and there were no injuries reported during this incident.