They raced to the rescue, but too late to save dome
No evidence of arson has been found at the site, writes
combustible materials like chairs, carpets and flooring, which obviously contributed to this fire spreading.”
With investigations ongoing, the cause of the fire is still unknown.
“Reports were that there were two power outages in the area and people said they had heard a crashing sound and seen smoke in the roof. It could have been an electrical fault.
“We have called in our fire specialist, Keith Lowes, to help the SAPS to establish the cause.”
Newman said the heat of the fire had been intense and there was thick black smoke. The firefighters were facing tough conditions, but had remained calm as they fought the fire and brought it under control within an hour.
“After that we damped down the area from inside the church once we were sure that any chance of steel structures collapsing was not evident.”
Newman explained that water used to fight fires was normal drinking water from fire hydrants.
“The water department does have a programme in place regarding the water we use. Fortunately, we have not been affected in the central region compared with other parts of According to officials, the heat of the fire was intense and the firefighters faced tough conditions, but they rose to the challenge and brought the flames under control within an hour. the city where the hydrants are being shut off between 9pm and 4am.
“However, should there be a fire in these affected areas, water will be restored. We are also looking at other ways of getting water due to the drought,” said Newman.
Newman also spoke about evidence left behind should a fire be deliberate.
“We can pick up evidence of deliberate burning. With all fires, an intense fire investigation is carried out and we are able to spot things like petrol or other fuels, canisters, cloths, matches or interference with electrical wires, etc.”
However, none of these has been found at the site so far. 1958: Pastor Fred Roberts and his wife Nellie moved to Durban and accepted a call to a church in Malvern. Starting with a small group and a Sunday school, it became one of the denomination’s flagships
1979: With a grander vision, the Roberts went out on their own. After successful services had been held at the Playhouse and the Embassy, the Lyric theatre was bought as a permanent place of worship for the new Durban Christian Centre.
1981/2: Christian Fellowship International was founded. Roberts is president of group which has a network of over 200 churches locally and overseas.
1983: Building bought for the Kwa Mashu congregation.
1985: The church outgrew the Lyric theatre and was sold. The Alhambra was bought and refurbished as the new headquarters of the Christian Centre. This was the first time the concept of a “Christian Centre” was used in SA.
1985: Roberts was among a group of six leading South Africans who founded the International Fellowship of Christian Churches in Durban.
1992: Ground was bought on a hill in Mayville, next to the N3 freeway.
1997: Commenced building of the Jesus Dome
1999: A new 5 500-seater auditorium opened. Known as the Jesus Dome, it become a feature of the city.
2007: Land acquired and work started on a church in Phoenix.
2008: Roberts celebrated 50 years in Christian ministry.
2009: A new bible college and youth centre was added to the Jesus Dome complex.
2009: The Phoenix church, with seating for 1 200, was completed.