SHAMOKIN - A lightning strike was blamed for causing a fire that heavily damaged the attic of a Bear Valley Avenue home Wednesday afternoon.
In the midst of serious flooding in the city and throughout Northumberland County, firefighters were called at approximately 2:30 p.m. for a chimney fire at the home of Elizabeth Pufnock, of 628 Bear Valley Ave., which is Route 125 in the city. The blaze quickly spread throughout the attic before firefighters arrived.
"We had an exceptionally quick response to the call due to our vehicles being on the road already," Shamokin Fire Chief Bruce Rogers said.
Rogers said the fire was knocked down quickly and the majority of the damage was limited to the third floor.
"We had an aggressive indoor entry and knock down of the fire," he said.
After interviewing several of the neighbors and investigating the scene, Rogers determined that a lightning strike to the roof caused the fire. Bursts of thunder and lightning occurred periodically during Wednesday afternoon's rainstorms.
Pufnock will be staying with relatives.
Rogers said the third floor suffered heavy damaged while the rest of the home had smoke and water damage.
Two firefighters also suffered minor injuries in fighting the fire.