Lighting Strikes Cause Two House Fires in Dover

Housefire on Case Ridge Road; Image Courtesy of Dover Fire Department

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated two housefires in Dover caused by lightning strikes over the past two days.

Authorities say the first fire occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10:00 p.m. in the 1500 block of North Little Creek Road. The Dover Fire Department (DFD), along with mutual aid fire companies, responded to the residence, encountering smoke throughout the building. Fire crews were able to locate and extinguish a fire in the basement of the occupied home.

Investigators responded to the scene and were able to determine that the fire was caused by a lightning strike. Fire damage to the home was minor and there were no injuries reported.

Housefire on Case Ridge Road; Image Courtesy of Dover Fire Department

The second fire occurred the following day around 3:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Case Ridge Road. DFD responded again, along with mutual aid fire companies. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke coming from the roof of a single-family residence. Shortly after firefighters entered the structure, the fire broke through the roof, prompting a second alarm. Crews located a large volume of fire in the attic and conducted searches of the structure, finding no occupants.

Investigators responded to the scene and determined that lightning struck the residence, causing a fire to start in the attic space. The home received heavy fire damage estimated to be valued around $750,000. No injuries were reported.