Excerpts from the Journal-Topics.com:

Niles firefighters suspect a lightning strike as the cause of a fire in a home in the 8300 block of Ballard Road Thursday morning (July 18). Residents in the home heard a loud bang, followed by lights flickering. The lightning strike ignited the fire in a small void space between the home’s vaulted ceilings and the roof itself. Firefighters used pike poles to pull down sections of ceiling to expose and extinguish the flames. 

All residents evacuated safely, there were no injuries, and the fire was extinguished within about 20 minutes.

Pierce Dash CF PUC tower ladder

Steve Redick photo

Pierce Arrow XT tower ladder

Steve Redick photo

Niles FD Firefighter James Leibach

Steve Redick photo

house fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Pierce Dash CF PUC fire trucks

Steve Redick photo

Smeal quint

Steve Redick photo

roof ladder on house after a fire

Steve Redick photo

Pierce Dash CF PUC fire engine

Steve Redick photo

Pierce Dash CF PUC tower ladder

Steve Redick photo