Bensalem Lightning Strike Spurs Apartment Fire

BENSALEM, PA — Fire officials in Bensalem are continuing to investigate a devastating apartment fire that started after an apparent lightning strike during Sunday evening's thunderstorms.

The fire burned four units and damaged a total of 12 at Franklin Common Apartments, in the 100 block of Hummingbird Lane, according to the Eddington Fire Company.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:41 p.m. Sunday, just after severe thunderstorms passed through the area. When they arrived, the fire was running through the apartment building's roof, the fire company said.

Fire officials say one firefighter was treated for dehydration, but that no one inside the apartments was injured in the fire. The blaze was under control by 5:15 p.m. on Sunday.

The fire marshal's office on Tuesday was continuing to investigate the fire's cause. But fire crews say it appears almost certain that lighting struck the building.

The fire came as Sunday's strong storms wreaked havoc throughout the area.

In nearby Bristol, hundreds of people were left without power and several homes were badly damaged by downed trees after the strong storms ripped through the area.

In a post on Twitter, the Philadelphia branch of the American Red cross said that, between storm damage in Bristol and the fire in Bensalem, it was assisting 10 families, totaling 17 adults and 9 children.