Lightning struck a nearly century-old Blakely church Thursday night, sending flames shooting through the steeple.
Dan Horn, who lives near the building at 545 Keystone Ave. in the borough’s Peckville section, was returning from work at about 8:30 p.m. when he heard the sound of lightning hitting a building. Within minutes, he said, the church was engulfed in flames, and firefighters soon rushed to the scene.
Firefighters fight flames at a church building in Peckville on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026. The building was hit by lightening and minutes later burst into flames. (COURTESY OF DAN HORN)
Firefighters fight flames at a church building in Peckville on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026. The building was hit by lightening and minutes later burst into flames. (COURTESY OF DAN HORN)
Firefighters fight flames at a church building in Peckville on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026. The building was hit by lightening and minutes later burst into flames. (COURTESY OF DAN HORN)
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Firefighters fight flames at a church building in Peckville on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026. The building was hit by lightening and minutes later burst into flames. (COURTESY OF DAN HORN)
Flames shot from the upper windows of the building and heavy smoke filled the area near the church, as firefighters poured water onto the structure to quell the flames.
Records at the Lackawanna County recorder of deeds office list the owner as Clark Country LLC, a firm operated by Terry and Rebecca Drost, the pastors of Peckville Assembly of God.
Built in 1927, the church served as the longtime place of worship for Peckville Assembly of God until that congregation relocated to Business Route 6 in 2008, according to The Times-Tribune’s archives.
Staff reporter Frank Lesnefsky contributed to this article.