Updated: Lightning Strike Sparked Attic Fire In Fairfax

Updated (Aug. 17, 2 p.m.): Fire inspectors confirmed that the fire at 2953 Hunters Branch Road was caused by lightning and estimated the home had received $60,000 in damage due to the fire. The Red Cross provided assistance to the three people displaced by the fire.

FAIRFAX, VA — A Fairfax couple found themselves displaced early Wednesday evening by an attic fire that may have been caused by lightning.

City of Fairfax Fire Department units responded around 5:13 p.m. Wednesday after reports of a townhouse fire at 2953 Hunters Branch Road in the Hunters Branch neighborhood south of the Vienna-Fairfax-GMU Metro station.

“There was the report of a lightning strike and there was a delay,” said Peter Rhoads, battalion chief with the city's fire department. “Then they had an odor of smoke on the upper floors of their house. So, they called 911.”

When units arrived on the scene, Rhoads said they observed a light haze of smoke coming from the home. They located a small, smoldering fire in the attic walls, which they were able to extinguish quickly. By 6 p.m., firefighters were packing up.

Although the initial dispatch said the fire was caused by lightning, fire inspectors hadn’t confirmed that yet.

“That’s what the call reported that it was, but that is not what we’ve determined it to be,” Rhoads said. “The investigators will finalize that.”

Although no one was injured due to the fire, Rhoads said the residents would likely be displaced.

“We had to pull some drywall and things in the upper level of the house to make sure that the fire was all the way out,” he said. “I believe that the one family will be displaced from their home.”

As the firefighters continued their cleanup efforts, Steve and Natalia Drapkin stood on a sidewalk across from their home. When asked what had happened, Steve Drapkin said “lightning.”

The couple, who have lived in their home for 4 1/2 years, said they were very grateful for the person who had called 911.

“Somebody called it in, because we didn’t even know until we stepped outside and saw these guys pulling up,” Steve Drapkin said. “We’re very thankful for whoever did call. We’re still trying to figure out who that was.”

At 6 p.m., it seemed unlikely the Drapkins would immediately return to their home.

“The electricity was cut,” Natalia Drapkin said. “So before we can get in, a licensed electrician needs to come in and turn on the electricity.”