Lightning Struck Home in Forest Hill, Fire Marshal Says

A home in Forest Hill sustained $105,000 in damage Monday night after lightning struck the roof, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

At 10:47 p.m., the owners’ grandson who was housesitting noticed smoke coming from the ceiling in the 1200 block of Bonaire Road, the fire marshal reported.

Approximately 50 firefighters from Bel Air, Jarrettsville, Fallston, Whiteford and Hereford responded, bringing the fire under control within an hour, according to the report.

Investigators say that lightning struck the attic/roof, causing $75,000 in structural damage and the loss of $30,000 worth of items inside the home.

The fire marshal said that other homes on the street were also hit by lightning during Monday night’s storms.

Firefighters responded to these incidents on Bonaire Road Monday night, according to Rich Gardiner of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association:

• At 10:41 p.m., there was a house struck by lightning in the 1200 block of Bonaire Road with neither damage nor injuries resulting.
• At 10:51 p.m., the incident above was reported, and crews found an attic fire.
• At 10:56 p.m., there was a gas leak reported as the result of a lightning strike in the 1200 block of Bonaire Road.

Pictured, 1200 block of Bonaire Road. Photo Credit: James Rainwater of Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company (first, third and fourth pictures) and Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company.