A lightning strike is believed to have caused a fire in Ellicott City amid a powerful line of thunderstorms that passed through Maryland Wednesday evening.
Crews with Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services went to the 5000 block of Ilchester Road around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. The roof of the two-story single-family home was on fire as trucks arrived. Firefighters kept the fire to the roof and attic, officials said.
Residents said a lightning strike may have caused the fire. They were able to evacuate before fire crews arrived. No injuries were reported, officials said.
Two residents were displaced, and damage to the home is estimated to be $200,000, officials said.
Officials from Howard County and the state fire marshal's office are investigating.
Howard County fire officials also reported a fire possibly caused by lightning in the 3300 block of Hipsley Mill Road in Woodbine just before 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The line of storms that passed through Maryland Wednesday night brought with it heavy rain, prompting a flash flood warning for the region and truncating the Orioles' game at Camden Yards.