Lightning sparks fire that causes $50,000 in damages at Mill Creek apartments

Dawn DiIenno of Mill Creek said she heard a huge crack Saturday night and saw a light that lit up the whole house. She ran upstairs to make sure her roof wasn't on fire. 

"I knew just by the sound something was on fire," DiIenno said. "I have never heard that before."

The National Weather Service said lightning struck the area of Arundel Apartments at 7:45 p.m. More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded after a second-alarm was called when the first units arrived, said John Stewart, spokesman of the Mill Creek Fire Company. 

The roof and third-story of the apartment building endured most of the fire damage, Stewart said. 

Residents in the building where the fire occurred said they saw smoke coming from the light fixtures. One resident said people banged on her door and said she had to get out of there. She brought her dog and came out to find her neighbor's apartment on fire. 

No one was injured, but there was substantial fire damage, Stewart said. Many have been displaced because of water and smoke damage as well. 

Another resident, Brigitte Brough, said she thought the worst when she heard the crack. 

"Me and my two dogs were cuddled on the couch, and I thought we're doomed," she said. "I've never heard a sound like that in my life."

Brough, a dog walker of the area, said she was so glad no one, person or animal was hurt. She said the response was quick, and she remarked it was fortunate the sudden fire did not spread. 

The Office of the State Fire Marshal estimated $50,000 worth of damage in the fire.