Lightning Strike Sparks Fire In Harford County: Investigators

DARLINGTON, MD — Lightning struck a home in Darlington Wednesday night, displacing the residents and causing $75,000 in damage, officials reported Thursday.

The owners of the two-story home in the 2000 block of Nobles Mill Road discovered the fire after 6:30 p.m.

It started in the first-floor back bedroom, according to the fire marshal.

About 40 firefighters led by the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company responded, bringing the blaze under control in 20 minutes.

Family members are assisting the residents, officials said.

Authorities said about $25,000 in structural damage was reported, and $50,000 in contents were destroyed.

When the lightning strike was reported, Harford and Cecil counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning. It was issued after 6:15 p.m. and remained in effect until 7:15 p.m. During that time, radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Aberdeen with 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail before 6:30 p.m. and a storm with 60 mph wind gusts about 8 miles northeast of Havre de Grace that was moving northeast at 6:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Related: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Expires