Scottsdale Home Likely Hit by Lightning

Early-morning fire in attic area

Updated: Wednesday, 05 Oct 2011, 5:23 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 05 Oct 2011, 5:05 AM MST

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A home in north Scottsdale catches on fire after possibly being struck by lightning.

The valley had a heavy dose of lightning, rain and dust Tuesday night.

The home, located near the Loop 101 and Bell Road, caught on fire just before 3:00 a.m. in the attic area.

The homeowners were asleep at the time, but they said the smell of smoke caused them to wake up.

"We heard the lightning and our TV went out and the power went out and we went to bed," said Kathleen Hassler.

Hassler and her husband went to sleep and six hours later, the woke up.

"We heard a noise, a strange noise and so he got the ladder out and got in the attic and there were flames and roaring fire going," said Hassler.

Capt. Jim Welch of the Scottsdale Fire Department said the fire could have been smoldering for about nine hours.

“It was a hazardous fire to fight … We had to get to multiple different areas and multiple different rooms to get it knocked down,” Welch said.

Crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to the ground floor of the home, but the house has extensive water damage.

Firefighters knocked out large sections of ceiling to get to the fire and the homeowners reacted quickly.

"Get your things and let's get out here..never thought it would happen to me," said Hessler.

Another home was evacuated as a precaution because the homes in the neighborhood are close to one another.

There were no injuries.

The exact cause of the fire is being investigated.

The couple started packing up their belongings on Wednesday since their home is too badly damaged to continue living in.

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Scottsdale Home Likely Hit by Lightning

Early-morning fire in attic area

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