Lightning causes two fires in Portsmouth 15 minutes apart

PORTSMOUTH − Lightning from a fast-moving thunderstorm Wednesday evening sparked two separate house fires 15 minutes apart, firefighters said.

The first fire broke out at 85 Nathaniel Drive at 6:13 p.m., followed by a second fire at 155 Raleigh Way at 6:30 p.m. on the other side of town, straining firefighting resources. officials said.

While the single-family home on Nathaniel Drive is uninhabitable and one of the condominium units on Raleigh Way is severely damaged, firefighters report that no one was injured by the fires.

85 Nathaniel Drive

One of four residents living in the single-family home at 85 Nathaniel Drive called the fire department after hearing a noise and smelling smoke, the fire department said in a news release.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the attic above the home's garage was on fire and that the fire had spread up the interior walls to the second floor of the home.