Just after 5 p.m., a lightning strike to the exterior of the home started a fire. A passerby reported the fire.
Fortunately, both the smoke alarm and the sprinkler system went off and the homeowner and a family pet were able to escape without injuries. The occupant is currently being helped by the Red Cross.
Thirty firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department were able to get the fire extinguished within 30 minutes.
The two-story home suffered $75,000 in damage and an estimated $25,000 in contents were lost.
