On November 21, 2025, at 6:22 a.m., Pottstown Station 69 and mutual aid units were dispatched to a reported church fire at N. Hanover Street and Chestnut Street. Only one caller had reported the fire at the time of dispatch. While Assistant 69 was en route, dispatch received additional 911 calls reporting heavy smoke and fire showing from an unidentified, abandoned church. The assignment was upgraded to a working fire before any units arrived, prompting additional companies to be dispatched. Upon arrival, crews found the church rapidly becoming fully engulfed. Multiple aerial apparatus were requested. Just eight minutes after the initial dispatch, Command ordered all personnel who attempted to make entry for an interior attack to evacuate the structure due to fire venting through the roof and sides. By 6:33 a.m., the fire had escalated to a second alarm. Goodwill Ambulance 329 also requested additional resources.

Incoming aerials were positioned behind the church near the Salvation Army building and in front of the structure. Engines deployed 5-inch supply lines to nearby hydrants. Fire Police were dispatched to close multiple streets across several blocks because of the hose lines in the roadway and vehicles attempting to drive on and around them. Aerial master streams were operated from the front and rear, and a blitz line was set up in a driveway on the D-side. Within 20 minutes of the initial dispatch, the incident reached five alarms.

By 8:00 a.m., the bulk of the fire had been knocked down, and a little over an hour later, it was placed under control. Flare-ups and hotspots persisted, prompting a few breaks in fire operations to reassess strategies. A collapse zone was established. The steeple and bell tower—which still contained a brass bell—were allowed to burn until they collapsed at approximately 12:15 p.m. Structural engineers determined that allowing the structure to burn and fail naturally was safer than attempting internal suppression efforts. PECO was notified early in the incident due to energized electrical wires catching fire, and subsequently shut down electricity and gas service around the building. The Montgomery County Canteen Unit responded to provide food, drinks, shelter, and restrooms for responders. Community members also offered support, bringing coffee, snacks, and drinks before the Canteen Unit arrived.

The Montgomery County Drone Team, USAR, Field Comm, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals, Incident Support Team (IST), and Arson K-9s responded for operational assistance and investigation. Fire operations concluded after 16 hours and 49 minutes. No injuries were reported among firefighters, responders, or residents. However, several homes were affected, including one that sustained fire damage and impact damage when the B-side wall of the church collapsed onto it. Approximately 250 firefighters operated at the scene. Built in 1861, the abandoned building was identified as the former Transfiguration Lutheran Church, later occupied by Invictus Ministries, Inc., which sold the property in 2024. The construction and layout of the church contributed significantly to the difficulty of suppression efforts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Responding units:

Montgomery County: Pottstown 69, Limerick 51, Sanatoga 58, Ringing Hill 59, Upper Pottsgrove 79, Gilbertsville 67, New Hanover 37, Upper Providence 68, Lower Providence 53, Lower Frederick 52, Harleysville 89, Skippack 86, Pennsburg 65, Towamencin 76, Hatfield 17, Royersford 98, East Greenville 38, Jefferson 46, North Penn 62, Perkiomen 66, Trappe 77, Worcester 83, Upper Salford 78, Upper Merion 56, Collegeville 34.

Berks County: Boyertown 95, Amity 49, Earl Township 19,  Eastern Berks 97, Exeter Township 25, Monarch 6.

Chester County: Kimberton 61, Twin Valley 69, Liberty Steam 63, Norco 64, Valley Forge 68.

See more photos: 5-Alarm Fire at Vacant Church in Pottstown - Florian Fire Photography