Fire investigators said a homeless man may have started a fire that gutted a Dallas church late Wednesday night, but said it is not a case of arson.
The blaze started at about 9:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove First Baptist Church at the intersection of South Buckner Boulevard and Lake June Avenue. It left some smoke, water and heat damage to the sanctuary, but contractors said it is fixable.
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The first crews at the scene called for more help after seeing the fire and smoke billowing out of the church, NBC 5 reported.
Members said the church has been part of the community for more than 100 years.
"It's just a sad situation to see an old beautiful church go up in smoke. My mom went here for over 50 years, and she passed away this past year, and I went there as a kid," former church member Barbara Loy said.
The church was recently sold because of expenses amid a shrinking congregation.
