Fire officials investigating two separate house fires; lightning appears to be cause

MILWAUKEE -- Fire crews are investigating two separate house fires that occurred early Friday morning, February 24th. Officials believe lightning sparked both fires.

According to officials, the first fire broke out around 1 a.m. at a home on Wildflower Court in Franklin.

Crews responded to the scene after neighbors alerted the homeowner. Five departments were called in to assist.

No injuries were reported.



Around 2:30 a.m. another fire was reported near 62nd and Garfield in Wauwatosa. The Red Cross says they are assisting two people after lightning struck the roof of a duplex.

Arriving crews found substantial fire in the finished attic of three story duplex.

All occupants had exited the building prior to crews arriving.

Officials say the fire was extinguished and placed under control within 15 minutes of the first units arriving on-scene.

The homeowner and tenants were assisted by the American Red Cross.

The exact cause of the fire is undetermined but strongly suspected to have been caused by a lightning strike.

No injuries occurred as a result of the fire.



No additional details have been released.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.