Video: Lightning Strike May Have Caused House Fire in Middlefield

A Middlefield couple was returning home from Hartford late Thursday afternoon when they found out their home was on fire, likely the result of a lightning strike.

Carrie Mangiameli said at least three of her four children were at the home at 7 Pond Meadow Place when the strong storms came through.

"They were sitting in the family room and the power went out. Obviously it was really loud, the lightening was very nearby. Then they saw some sparks, so [the roof] was already on fire," Mangiameli said.

The children immediately got out of the house, taking the family dog with them, according to Mangiameli, who learned of the fire after calling a neighbor.

Firefighters from Middlefield, Durham and Westfield arrived at the scene shortly before 6 p.m.

Mangiameli said the damage had been contained to the roof, ceiling and walls in a new room in the home.

"It can be fixed," she said.

Fire Marshal Stan Atwell told Mangiameli he could not determine for certain whether the home had been struck by lightning.

"If nobody had been home, it could have been a lot worse," said Mangiameli.