Lightning Strike Causes Fire at Faith Chapel United Methodist Church in Trappe, Maryland

Talbot County - On July 7, 2025, at approximately 7:44 p.m., a structure fire occurred at Faith Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 31527 Bruceville Road, Trappe, Maryland.

The fire was reported by a passerby and promptly responded to by the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company.

The affected property was a one-story church building with an attic. Estimates place the damage at approximately $20,000 for the structure and $5,000 for its contents.

A total of 25 firefighters were involved in the response, and the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of arrival.

Preliminary investigations identified the area of origin as the exterior wall and roof area. The cause of the fire has been determined to be natural, resulting from a lightning strike to corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) gas piping.