Firefighters Battle House Fire on Hawk Ridge Road

Fire officials believe a lightning strike may have started a fire on the third floor of a single family home this morning on Hawk Ridge Road. 

Fire Chief Michael Mansfield said that fire officials first responded to the scene around 9:45 a.m. this morning to begin attacking the fire with multiple water supply lines. 

Only a family pet, a dog, was in the home at the time of the fire and the animal escaped as firefighters forced their way into the home through the front door. 

Firefighters eventually knocked down the fire and, by 11 a.m., were still investigating the home for "hidden fire" that may still be burning inside walls and other construction cavities. 

Mansfield said that investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire but believe a lightening strike is to blame for the incident at 8 Hawk Ridge Road.  

Several communities assisted in the fire including, North Andover, Middleton and Lawrence. 

While the third floor sustained significant fire damage, the first and second floors sustained very significant smoke and water damage. 

Mansfield estimates the damage at $200,000 at a minimum.