Several House Fires May Have Been Sparked By Lightning Strikes Across The Region
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, Pa., (CBS) -- Several house fires may have been sparked by lightning strikes across the region.
In Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, neighbors called 911 indicating that it was a lightning strike that hit a home and started a fire, that caused a lot of damage to the home.
The fire spread quickly through much of the home located on Raven Hallow Drive. Neighbors say they spotted a lightning strike, hitting the home at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A husband and wife along with their two children live at the home, but neighbors say, only the wife was home at the time of the fire.
"We ran over to the neighbor's house, started knocking on the door. She came running out the side door already on the phone calling the fire department," neighbor Matthew Gorni said.
Eyewitnesses tell CBS 3 within about 10 minutes of first seeing smoke coming from the roof area of the home, flames had engulfed much of it, leaving firefighters little chance of putting the fire out quickly.
"We have extensive damage on the roof area, most of the roof is gone. The second floor has extensive damage, but the first floor, with the exception of water from the firefighting operation, is pretty well intact," Montgomery Township Fire Chief Bill Weigman said.
Fortunately no one was injured. The homeowner and her dog got out safely. In the meantime, the Fire Marshal is on scene to make a final determination as to what exactly caused this fire.
There was another reported lightning strike in Schuylkill Township, Chester County.
WATCH: Reported Lightning Strike In Schuylkill Township
It happened along the unit block of Potters Pond Drive.
Flames shot from the roof as firefighters extended ladders to reach the top of the home.
CBS 3 is told there is about $100,000 in damage.
A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, but no one else was injured.
In Camden County, New Jersey a condominium fire possibly sparked by lightning displaced dozens of residents.
It happened along the 2500 block of Berwyn Court in Voorhees.
CBS 3 is told 17 units were affected. Officials are investigating the fire as a possible lightning strike. No serious injuries were reported.
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