A summer thunderstorm delivered a lightning strike to a home on University Road in Upper Oxford Township Thursday evening, involving area fire companies for more than one hour.

Dispatched just before 10:00pm, the call for a house fire was in the area served by the Union Fire Company of Oxford. Assisting were the West Grove Fire Company and Cochranville Fire Company, with other departments also dispatched.

Units were advised by the Chester County 911 Center that the homeowner reported that his house was struck by lightning, and that he was attempting to put the fire out with a garden hose. Units went on location confirming the report, with the house struck on the back side at the corner of a large new addition.

Cochranville's Engine arrived first, deploying a 1-3/4" attack lines, supplied by Tanker 27. Engine 22-1 arrived as the Second Due Engine and deployed a second hand line from Engine 27. Also in service were Engines from Oxford and West Grove including Engine 22-1, 22-2, and Tanker 22. Ladder 21 deployed its aerial and ground ladders. Crews worked both inside and outside the house to open up walls and ceilings to assure the fire was extinguished and had not spread further.

Units were in service for about one hour.