9-Alarm Fire Caused By Lighting Strike During Thunderstorm Rips Into Roof At Medford Church: Officials

MEDFORD, NJ — A 9-alarm fire ripped into a section of the roof of the Worship Center at Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford after a lightning strike during Friday night's severe thunderstorm, church officials said in a post to Facebook.

"Good evening FAC Community, you've seen the pictures, fire crews and emergency responders from over nine departments responded quickly and effectively and are working to gain control of the fire before it spreads any further," the church's leadership wrote in the post. "Thankfully, nobody was in the building at the time so nobody was hurt."

"Please join us in praying for our church and the emergency crews," the post continued. "Details will follow for Sunday Worship and other ministry activities."

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene just before 9 p.m. to the chapel, which is on Church Road, and officials said flames were visible from the roof as firefighters started to knock it down, ABC 6 reported.

No injuries were reported, the outlet reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the outlet.