At 8:20 PM the DFD was dispatched to a building fire at the Church of Deliverance, at the corner of Bradford Ave. and Church St. in the Johnsontown section, during a severe thunderstorm.  Tower 45 (Engineer Trego) and Chief 45 (Nelms) arrived promptly on location with some fire showing at the base of the church steeple.

The crew from Tower 45 place the ladder tower in service to the roof and area of the steeple and contained the fire to the steeple with two water cans.  Engine 46-1 (Minquas Fire Co. No. 2) established a water supply from a nearby hydrant and stretched a hand-line into the church.  The team from Rescue 45 (Lt. Marks) placed ground ladders around the building.  Engine 46-2 was the second due engine and assisted the Engine 46-1 team inside of the church.  Engine 45 (Lt. Wesson) was the third due engine and established a water supply at the rear of the church.

Due to the church being over 100 years old and the many different roof lines, Chief 45 requested Ladder 41 (Coatesville FD) as the second due truck company, assigned to the rear of the building with Engine 45.  He also requested Engine 38 (Thorndale Fire Co.), Engine 39-1 (West Bradford Fire Co.) and Engine 47-2 (Lionville Fire Co.).  The crews from Engine 38 and 47-2 were assigned to the staging area and assisted with salvage and overhaul.  Engine 39-1 stood-by at a secondary hydrant in front of St. Anthony's Lodge on Church St, if that was needed.

The Chester County Fire Marshall's determined that the cause of the fire was an act of nature, due to a lightning strike.  Neighbors across the street from the church actually saw the lightning strike the church.  And, due to there quick reaction and calling 911, this help save the church from further damage.

Other units at the scene where Squad, Brush and Traffic 45, Air/Light, Ambulance and Medic 46.  Tower 6, Engine 49, Engine 51-2 and Ambulance 55 relocated to Stations 45 and 46, with no other responses.