Southeast Pennsylvania Storms Followed by Lightning-Triggered Fires

Officials say lightning is being investigated as the possible cause of a number of fires as storms rolled through southeastern Pennsylvania overnight, bringing drenching rains and bringing down trees and power lines.

Bucks County emergency dispatchers told WCAU-TV that a lightning bolt hit the chimney of a Doylestown home at about 3 a.m. Thursday, sending bricks and mortar around the home and into the street. No injuries were reported.

The fire chief in Trumbauersville told the station that the fire marshal will try to determine whether lightning sparked a garage fire. Winds also uprooted two trees and sent them crashing into the garage, breaking off part of the roof.

Officials said lightning is also suspected in a blaze that consumed an abandoned home in Chester County’s Highland Township.