Arson Suspected in Federalsburg Church Fire; $5,000 Reward Offered

The Office of the State Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has officially classified a fire that occurred last month at the Church of the Nazarene in Federalsburg as arson. The investigation into the blaze, which caused significant damage to the place of worship, has led authorities to believe the fire was intentionally set.

Firefighters were first alerted to the fire on the evening of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, shortly before midnight. A passerby reported the flames at the Church of the Nazarene, located at 3381 Houston Branch Road in Federalsburg. Emergency responders from the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company, along with crews from surrounding departments, swiftly arrived on the scene. Over sixty firefighters worked to contain the one-alarm fire, successfully bringing it under control within approximately 70 minutes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among civilians or fire personnel.

The fire resulted in an estimated $300,000 in damages to the church’s structure and an additional $50,000 in damage to its contents. Following the incident, Deputy State Fire Marshals collaborated with special agents from the ATF’s Baltimore Field Division to conduct a thorough investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Their joint inquiry concluded that the fire was deliberately ignited.

In an effort to apprehend those responsible, the ATF is now offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual or individuals who set the fire. The public is urged to come forward if they possess any knowledge pertaining to the incident. Those with information can contact the ATF directly at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or by submitting an email to ATFTips@atf.gov. Additionally, the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office provides an arson hotline at 1-800-492-7529 for reporting suspicious fire-related activities. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is committed to protecting citizens through education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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