Fire crews respond to Tioga fire caused by lightning strike

Press release from Alachua County Fire Rescue

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Crews from Alachua County, Gainesville, and Newberry Fire Departments responded to the Jonesville area in southwest Alachua County on Thursday for a residential building fire in a two-story single-family home. It was determined that lightning struck the roof, causing fire to spread into the attic area. A passerby called the Combined Communications Center and said that they had just driven by a house and added, “The roof is on fire”. 

The first fire engine arrived in about seven minutes and relayed that there were smoke and flames coming from the roof of the house and that they had a working fire. All three departments worked seamlessly together to contain and extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. The power had to be disconnected, so the Red Cross was contacted to assist the family. 

Alachua County Fire Rescue would like to remind everyone to make sure they have working smoke detectors and that the batteries are changed regularly. It is also important to remember that when your detectors go off, you should get out, call 911, and stay out.