Overview
- A lightning strike late Friday night, July 3, is believed to have ignited a section of the worship center roof at Fellowship Alliance Chapel, causing major roof damage but no injuries.
- Fire crews from multiple departments responded, with church officials saying nearly 400 personnel from several counties and about 70 pieces of equipment helped contain the blaze.
- Firefighters confined the fire between the roof and the ceiling so flames did not enter the occupied interior, though smoke and water damage is extensive and remediation has begun.
- The congregation resumed services in a temporary building on the church campus less than 48 hours after the blaze while leaders form a recovery team and say there is no firm timeline for repairs.
- The Medford fire marshal has not ruled on an official cause and, per protocol for a house of worship, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been notified; local officials note lightning-related roof fires are common in the area and can prolong cleanup.