A line of severe storms came through the borough of Christiana and surrounding areas on Thursday evening. At about 18:20 hours, a lightning strike occurred in the area of Hillcrest Drive in the borough of Atglen.

Witnessed by some of the residents of Christiana and a couple of our fire fighters who were on the grounds of the station - it was said to be one of the loudest and hardest strikes all of them had ever heard, felt or witnessed.

18:35 hours the company was dispatched for a house reportedly struck by lightning. The resident reported that the roof was smoking, had a hole in it and that the house was full of smoke.

Deputy 52 (Fisher) went enroute at 18:39 hours. As part of the first alarm assignment for a dwelling fire in Atglen Borough - Station 27 (Cochranville; Chester County), Station 42 (Gap), Station 8 (Keystone Valley; Chester County) were also alerted for the call.

Deputy Fisher arrived on location and advised the first due engine to forward lay a 5" supply line from a hydrant at Stauffer Drive and Hillcrest Drive to the scene.

Engine 52-1 (Captain Stoltzfus) was marked enroute at 18:41 hours and proceeded to forward lay 6 sections of 5" supply line from the hydrant to the scene.

While they were in the process of getting the supply line laid, Deputy Fisher was informed that the fire was reported out by the homeowner.

Engine 27-2, Rescue 8, Engine 52-1, Squad 52-1 and Truck 42 all were brought into the scene and checked the home for any extensions of fire or damage from the storm.

Deputy Fisher advised the homeowner that they should leave the electric off until the home is checked over by an electrician.

With no active fire and the house okay from any lingering smoke from the lightning strike, the crews from our mutual aid companies were released.

Squad and Engine remained on location until they were cleared by Deputy at 19:33 hours.