Lightning strike sparks attic fire in central Columbia home

Investigators have determined a lightning strike is what started a attic fire Sunday afternoon.

Around 4:48 p.m. Columbia Fire Department responded to a call at the 300 block of Crown Point in Columbia. The resident wasn’t home at the time, but a neighbor called it in after seeing smoke from the attic.

Four unit trucks, and 14 firefighters were active on scene. Columbia Fire Department was able to put the fire out within 10 minutes. Crews were also able to rescue a cat from the home.

Columbia Water and Light also responded to the scene to make sure no circuits were blown.

The fire department estimates about $15,000 in damage.