Mother Nature is being blamed for a fire that heavily damaged a house near 15th and Fairview Road in Bellevue just before noon on Friday.
A neighbor called 911 after seeing the home struck by lightning. Heavy smoke was coming from the roof when firefighters arrived. Battalion Chief Steve Wagner says firefighters forced their way inside and moved to the second floor where they had to pull ceilings to get to the fire, which was burning in the attic.
He says they were able to contain the fire to the attic, but the home sustained heavy damage. "We had water and structural damage all through the second floor and water damage on the first floor."
The two people who live there were not home at the time. Wagner says given the amount of damage they will likely be displaced for at least a month.