NEWCASTLE, Maine (AP) — Lightning is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Newcastle home, leaving a family of five homeless.
Fire Chief Clayton Huntley Jr. says neighbors saw the two-story home being struck by lightning. Luke and Laura Houghton’s house was located near Damariscotta Lake. The couple and their three children, ages 4, 2 and 5 months, are expected to stay with relatives until other housing arrangements can be made.
Huntley says the house was engulfed in flames when firefighters from Newcastle, Damariscotta and Nobleboro arrived about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Huntley says the family was not in the home at the time of the fire, but their dog was killed. He calls the house a total loss.