Bradley Road House Struck By Lightning, Catches Fire

Lightning struck a home on Bradley Road and quickly spread through the attic Friday evening, according to the Scarsdale Fire Department.

A two-story wood-frame residence at 180 Bradley Road was struck by lightning at approximately 5:49 p.m. The daughter of the family who resides at the home apparently heard the strike, felt the house shake, and told her father, according to Captain Matthew Mann.

The father then pulled down the attic stairs and noticed melting foam, likely some kind of insulation, and saw the fire.

He closed the attic door and attempted to call the fire department but the house phone was not working. At that point, said Capt. Mann, the father and daughter left the house. 

A volunteer Scarsdale firefighter named Jeff Hill who lives across the street from the residence saw the lightning strike and ran to the house to warn the family to evacuate.

Hill also made the call to the fire department and the first truck arrived four minutes later. Firefighters opened the attic roof and knocked down the fire before it spread anywhere else in the house. 

"We were informed of the fire fairly early, which helps," said Capt. Mann. "Had we been delayed anymore they would have lost the entire house."

Eight Scarsdale vehicles responded to the incident. The Hartsdale FAST team also assisted. Con Edison shut off power.

Captain Mann said the house sustained smoke and water damage. 

Captain John Saviano conducted the investigation.