Lightning strike caused house fire in Auburn, police chief says

A lightning strike caused a fire on Sunday that severely damaged a home in Auburn.

According to a press release, firefighters and police were called to a two-story home at 16 Russell Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday. When crews arrived, the exterior of the building and rooms on the first and second floors were engulfed in flames.

“The fire was under control within 30 minutes,” Auburn Fire Chief Robert Chase said in the press release. “Crews remained on site for several hours to conduct cleanup work and extinguish hot spots.”

“The building, a two-story, wood-framed single-family home, was severely damaged.”

No injuries were reported, but two cats were still missing as of early Monday afternoon.

According to Chase, the fire was caused by a lightning strike.

Maine experienced numerous lightning strikes as a storm passed through the region on Sunday evening.

In recent weeks, lightning strikes have reportedly caused fires in Freeport and LaGrange. Last year, a lightning strike darkened a lighthouse in Port Clyde, which was featured in the movie “Forrest Gump.”

“A fire can start at any time,” Chase said. “Please make sure you have a smoke detector on every floor of your home.”

Firefighters from Lewiston assisted at the scene in Auburn on Sunday.