ANDOVER — Fire tore through the attic of a Fossen Way house collapsing a portion of the roof during yesterday afternoon's thunder and lightning storm.
No one was hurt in the blaze at 21 Fossen Way, which was first called in by a female resident at 2:38 p.m., according to Andover Deputy fire Chief Richard Hartman.
Firefighters at the scene said the woman reported a lightning strike, but Hartman last night said the cause was under investigation.
Hartman said Andover firefighters arrived at the cul-de-sac off River Road in West Andover to see flames coming through the roof in the rear of the house.
The fire spread through the large attic, causing part of the roof to collapse, he said.
"This was a difficult, fast-moving fire in the attic," said Hartman. "The rain wasn't a major factor in our operation. There was just a lot of physical work in getting streams on the fire that involved opening up ceilings pretty quickly."
Hartman said there also was water damage to the first floor, second floor and basement and smoke damage on the second floor.
Andover sent four fire engines, a ladder truck, ambulance and air supply truck to the fire. Engine companies from Lawrence, North Andover and Tewksbury assisted.
Hartman said fire stations in Andover were covered by firefighters from Methuen, North Reading, Reading and Wilmington.
There was only one female resident home at the time of the fire, Hartman said.
She fled the home with two dogs. Two cats also were found alive during the fire response.
The Colonial-style home was built in 1990. The property is assessed at $861,400, the highest value of the 18 homes on Fossen Way.
Residents gathered under umbrellas to watch the firefighters battle the blaze.
Hartman said Andover Deputy Chief Albert DelDotto was in charge of the investigation along with representatives with the state fire marshal's office.
Hartman said workers from National Grid and Bay State Gas shut off electricity and gas hookups to the house during the fire response.
