Lightning Starts House Fire

Lightning struck a house on Toddy Hill Road in Sandy Hook during a thunderstorm on the evening of May 24, starting a fire which resulted in a estimated $3,000 in damage, according to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead.

Sandy Hook, Botsford, and Newtown Hook and Ladder firefighters responded to the 6:34 pm call at the Nowicki residence, a ranch-style house at 53 Toddy Hill Road. The homeowner had put out the small blaze on the side of the house near the garage using two fire extinguishers before firemen arrived, Chief Halstead said. There were no injuries.

On arriving at the scene, firemen found the burned area to be smoldering, with light smoke nearby.

Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to check for hidden flames and opened up a wall to ensure the blaze was extinguished, Chief Halstead said. The lightning strike may have caused electrical damage, he said.

The lightning may have struck the side of the house due to the proximity of a chain link fence, he said.