Lightning Strike Sparks Roof Fire At Medford Church, Authorities Say

MEDFORD, NJ — A fire that damaged the roof of the Worship Center at Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford was sparked by a lightning strike, authorities confirmed Saturday.

Nearly 400 firefighters and 70 pieces of equipment including ladder trucks and tankers battled the fire, officials of Fellowship Alliance Chapel said.

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Medford Township police said firefighters were able to contain the fire to the roof and prevent it from spreading to the interior of the church.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries from battling the fire in the extreme heat, NBC Philadelphia reported.

No one was in the church at the time so there were no injuries to civilians, officials said.

The preliminary investigation by fire officials found it was sparked by lightning from Friday night's severe thunderstorms, Medford police said.

Church officials, in a Facebook update on Saturday afternoon, expressed gratitude for the efforts of the fire personnel.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming response of emergency crews and fire departments from around the region (five different counties!)," the officials said. "Thanks to the efforts of almost 400 personnel and 70 pieces of equipment (ladders, tankers, etc.) the fire damage in our Worship Center was contained to a section of the roof just over the Treehouse. It never infiltrated the building."

"While there is extensive smoke and water damage throughout the building, remediation is already underway," church officials said.

While a number of people have volunteered to help with the cleanup, church officials said it's not safe for people to be in the worship center at the moment.

"There are still ceiling tiles and other debris falling and areas that need to be thoroughly inspected before we can allow anyone to enter — so please avoid the building until further notice to allow the remediation professionals to stay focused on their monumental task," they said.

Sunday's worship services will be held in the Fellowship Center at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and services will be there until the worship center reopens, officials said.

Additional information about in-person attendance is on the church's Facebook page.

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.