FARMINGTON — Lightning is blamed for igniting a fire that extensively damaged a home Wednesday afternoon on Morrison Hill Road, an official said.

A cat perished in the blaze, and two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

Sitting in his living room, Russ Christensen saw a lot of blue light and a big ball of fire strike his home at 239 Morrison Hill Road about 4:30 p.m., Deputy Chief Clyde Ross of Farmington Fire and Rescue said.

His phone was blown out so Christensen drove to the fire station, approximately three miles away.

Firefighters were preparing to go to 627 Cape Cod Hill Road in New Sharon, where lightning struck another house and set insulation in the attic on fire, Ross said. That fire was out shortly after firefighters arrived, he said.

Christensen said the house was full of smoke but when firefighters reached West Farmington, they could see heavy black smoke coming from the house, Ross said.

The house was extensively damaged from smoke and fire. A cat perished in the fire, he said.

Two firefighters were overcome with heat exhaustion and were treated at the scene by NorthStar ambulance paramedics. Both returned to the station with the rest of the crew, he said.

There were about 40 firefighters, 20 from Farmington, but they were working under adverse conditions, Ross said.

The summer heat and humidity made the situation more difficult, he said. Temperatures hovered at about 93 degrees Wednesday afternoon in Farmington. There were several additions constructed on to the home, which also made fighting the fire more difficult, he said.

Christensen had a lot of art, books and several glass pieces that were damaged in the fire. The house was insured, Ross said.

Mutual aid from Jay, Wilton and Temple helped at the scene, along with NorthStar ambulance, Farmington Police Department and Central Maine Power, he said.

More information about the New Sharon fire was not available Wednesday evening.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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