A possible lightning strike is being blamed for a house fire in Simcoe Wednesday afternoon.
Norfolk County Fire responded to a report of a basement fire on Falls Crescent during a heavy rainstorm that featured significant thunder and lightning.
Crews from three Norfolk fire stations responding at about 12:30 pm found smoke and flames in the basement of the home with heavy smoke on the first floor.
The fire was quickly contained, with most of the damage in the base.
Community safety officer Katie Ballantyne said the occupant and two family pets were able to get out of the home by the time firefighters arrived but the damage has been estimated at $150,000.
The home was insured.
Ballantyne reminds the public that working smoke alarms save lives and should be on each floor of a home and outside the sleeping areas.
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