Lightning causes Rochester house fire

Oct 8, 2014

A two-story home at 46 Jasons Lane sustained heavy damage early Wednesday morning after a lightning strike sparked a fire in the building’s basement.

No one was injured in the fire that broke out at 6:25 a.m., said Fire Chief Scott Weigel.

“The homeowners said that when they heard the lightning strike, it sounded like an explosion went off in the cellar,” Weigel said.

From the basement, the flames spread to the first floor and eventually reached the attic.

Rochester firefighters received mutual aid from the Mattapoisett Fire Department and the Acushnet Fire Department that provided a tanker truck to battle the blaze. Marion firefighters provided station coverage in Rochester.

“It was a well fought battle and everyone did a great job of stopping the fire,” Weigel said.

Weigel noted the fire was under control around 7:15 a.m. and crews had it extinguished by 8 a.m. The home sustained heavy smoke, heat and water damage.