Lightning Hits Fairfax Home, Sparks Fire

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—A fire started after a Fairfax home was hit by lightning during Friday's thunderstorms.

Fairfax County and City of Fairfax firefighters responded to the fire around 7 p.m. in the 9600 block of Ceralene Court. Fire appeared to be showing from the roof, and firefighters were able to extinguish it.

Off-duty firefighter Lt. Allan Burchell was driving by when he saw the fire. He called 911 and was able to contain some of the fire with a garden hose until more help arrived.

The home's residents were not home at the time of the fire, and no one was injured. The five residents are displaced as a result but did not accept Red Cross assistance.

Damages are about $26,000. Fire investigators say lightning caused the house fire, and it originated from the outside. The fire then spread into the attic. The home had working smoke alarms, but they did not go off because the fire was on the outside and in the attic.