House Struck By Lightning Catches Fire In South Jersey

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Lightning appeared to strike a Washington Township house on Friday, causing a small fire as a chaotic thunderstorm pushed through the region.

The fire broke out early Friday afternoon in the attic of a house on Meadowview Drive. It was likely caused by lightning, said Patrick Dolgos, chief of the Washington Township Fire Department.

"The residents heard a loud crack of lightning," Dolgos told Patch. "Within second, they started discovering smoke coming from the attic area. So it was pretty obvious it was around the same time the lightning struck."

The fire was extinguished quickly, Dolgos said. No injuries were reported.

It was one of three house fires reported in Washington Township in the span of 20 minutes, starting around 12:40 p.m.

But officials did not find fire at the other two homes.

"Fortunately, they were unfounded," Dolgos said. "They were most likely in close proximity and maybe their lights flickered, but there was no damage found at either structure."

Friday's storms have brought thunder, flooding rain and powerful winds to much of South Jersey. Several towns dealt with accidents and downed trees and poles.