Lightning causes house fire in Falls Church area
Updated Sept. 4: The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department put out a two-alarm fire Sept. 1 in the 3400 block of Upside Court in the Falls Church area of Mason District.
Fire investigators determined the fire started in the basement utility room and was caused by a lightning strike.
Units from the Arlington and Alexandria, as well as Fairfax County, fire departments arrived at the two-story house shortly after 3 a.m. The occupants are unhurt but one firefighter sustained a minor injury and was treated at a hospital.
Three residents were home at the time of the fire. One resident was awakened by a smoke alarm. When he opened his bedroom door, he discovered thick, black smoke coming from the first floor. After the family got out of the house, he called 911. The occupants declined Red Cross assistance.
Damages as a result of the fire were estimated at $120,000.