Officials: Lightning likely cause of Thursday home fire
A lightning strike has been identified as the likely cause of a residential structure fire Thursday in southeast Cape Coral. The fire caused about $50,000 in damage.
At 5:15 a.m., Cape fire dispatch received a 911 call reporting smoke and the sound of fire alarms at a home at 5259 Sunnybrook Court. Fire crews arrived on scene about four minutes later and reported heavy smoke coming from the house. After ensuring all occupants were evacuated, fire crews attempted to locate the source of the smoke.
Firefighters opened the attic and found heavy smoke and wood burning in the ceiling. By 5:37 a.m., the fire was extinguished.
A Cape fire inspector determined that the cause of the fire was nearby lightning. The lightning strike caused a power surge and sparked a fire in the attic above the master bedroom.
The city’s building inspector red-tagged the structure. The American Red Cross responded to assist the two occupants and their four dogs.
Source: City of Cape Coral