POTTSTOWN, Pa. — Investigators have determined where a fire began inside a vacant Pottstown church last year, but they could not determine what started it.
The Pottstown Fire Department released its findings Monday about the Nov. 21, 2025, fire at the former Transfiguration Lutheran Church near North Hanover and Chestnut streets. The blaze destroyed the building and prompted a large emergency response.
Investigators said the fire originated in the rear of the church, on the south side of the building near the altar. They reached that conclusion after reviewing physical evidence, fire patterns, witness information, surveillance footage and other available information.
The investigation did not identify a specific ignition source or determine how the fire started. The department said the available evidence was not sufficient to reach a reasonable investigative conclusion, so the cause was classified as undetermined.
Investigators said an electrical cause was considered unlikely because the vacant building had no operating utilities that could have provided an active ignition source.
The report also noted a history of unauthorized entry into the church. However, investigators did not determine that trespassing was connected to the fire, and no one was seen entering or leaving the building in the hours before it started.
The investigation was conducted by the Pottstown Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from Pottstown police and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office. The department said it could reopen the case if credible new evidence or other relevant information becomes available.
