Lightning Strike Sparks Blaze at Rose Hill Area Home

Firefighters from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded Tuesday afternoon to a house fire at approximately 6:25 p.m., after a lightning strike ignited the roof of a home in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.

The single-family home is located at 4300 Upland Drive in the Rose Hill area, according to the fire department.

Firefighters found smoke and fire coming from the roof of the two-story home when they got to the fire. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack and quickly extinguished the fire, according to the fire department. Residents were home when the fire started, but escaped unharmed, the fire department said.

One of the residents reported the fire prior to smoke alarms sounding. Three occupants have been displaced, the department said. Red Cross support was offered, but declined by the occupants, the fire department noted. There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at $70,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. A lightning strike to the roof caused the fire, they said.