Federalsburg Church Fire Ruled Arson, $5,000 Reward Offered

Caroline County, MD - On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at approximately 11:45 p.m., firefighters from the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company responded to the Church of the Nazarene at 3381 Houston Branch Road for a reported fire. A passerby had spotted the fire and called it in before crews arrived on scene.

More than 60 firefighters from Federalsburg and surrounding departments took part in the response. Crews brought the one-alarm fire under control in about 70 minutes. No injuries were reported during the incident.

The fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to the church building. Another $50,000 in damage was done to the contents inside.

After the fire was put out, Deputy State Fire Marshals and special agents from the ATF's Baltimore Field Division began an investigation into how the fire started. The investigation looked closely at the origin and cause of the blaze.

Investigators have now determined the fire was intentionally set. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and ATF announced the arson finding this week, about a month after the fire happened.

With the fire now ruled arson, ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000. The reward is for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or people responsible for setting the fire.

The case remains under investigation, and officials are asking the public for help. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS, which is 888-283-8477. Tips can also be sent by email to ATFTips@atf.gov.