CUMMING, Ga. — A suspected lightning strike destroyed the home of 12 metro Atlanta religious community members, causing a devastating fire during Sunday’s intense storms, according to a news release from the church. 

The house on Woodsong Road in Cumming is home to nine Legionaries of Christ’s priests and three RC Mission Corps missionaries. It was hit by lightning around 4:45 a.m. on Sunday while storms moved through the metro Atlanta area.

Only four priests were home when the fire broke out. 

Scott Reilly, an associate pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, was one of the priests at the home when the fire broke out. According to the news release, he said another priest saw a glow in the ceiling after the lightning strike, quickly realizing the house was on fire. 

The priests realized the home was on fire and called 911, getting everyone out, the news release added. 

According to the priests, the Forsyth County Fire Department arrived quickly. 

Officials with Forsyth County Fire Department called the home “a total loss.” Fire officials added that no one was injured.

Although the fire happened during the high point of Sunday’s severe storms, fire officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The department highly suspects lightning was the culprit.

Forsyth County Fire Department stated that they responded to several other home fires, including another home one that was a total loss. It’s unclear if those were related to the intense line of storms that happened early Sunday morning.

The four priests shared their gratitude for their neighbors who helped them.

“Our neighbors are amazing. They came to our aid right away. We went over to the neighbors right in front of us, who gave us coffee and whatever we needed. They had breakfast for us and were all so kind,” said Reilly.

According to the church, the only thing that is left of the home is rubble. 

Shortly after the fire, the church set up a GoFundMe to help with the costs of cleaning up and temporary housing for the priests. 

The Legionaries of Christ church has already received $31,000 of their $100,000 goal as of 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“The Woodsong Road Legionary community—and all the Legionaries of Christ—are deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of concern, support, and prayers they have quickly begun to receive from people across the Atlanta area as they grapple with this situation,” the news release added. 

Those who would like to support the church’s community can click here.