Gaithersburg House Struck by Lightning, Neighbors Launch Fund for Family (PHOTOS & VIDEO)
PHOTO | MCFRS
UPDATED A Gaithersburg family is displaced from their Washingtonian Woods home after a lightning bolt ignited a fire at the three-level house Wednesday evening, according to a Montgomery County fire official.
Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer said the Sept. 7th blaze occurred around 6 p.m. in the 200 block of Midsummer Drive, and it caused an estimated $700,000 in damages.
According to Piringer, when firefighters arrived at the house they encountered heavy flames throughout the roof area. He said over 65 firefighters battled the blaze during a rainstorm that included more lightning.
There was one person inside the house when the lightning bolt struck the house. Piringer said the smoke alarms activated and that person was able to escape safely. There were no injuries. Piringer tells us more about the fire in this MyMCMedia Extra video, below:
According to Piringer, a neighbor witnessed the lightning strike. Find out how the neighbor described the lightning strike in this MyMCMedia Extra video, below:
Piringer said the house is a total loss.
On social media, neighbors are sharing information about a Go Fund Me account to raise money so the displaced family can rebuild. Find out more, here.
200blk Midsummer Dr, Washingtonian Woods, 1 occupant escaped, house totaled >$700k damage, family of 4 displaced pic.twitter.com/AiXRj3u7jD
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 8, 2016
Midsummer Dr, N Potomac, 1 occupant home at time, no injuries, neighbors witnessed a lightning strike, total damage pic.twitter.com/nx85Uo03ZM
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 7, 2016
200Blk Midsimmer Dr, possible lightning strike, 3-level single family house, heavy ire from attic upon arrival pic.twitter.com/eVR0R3xdoC
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 7, 2016
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