Firefighters from Central County Fire And Rescue responded to a house fire at 505 Woodmere Crossing in the Woodmere Bluffs Subdivision, off Caulks Hill Road, at approximately 10:10 pm Wednesday. Firefighters who were first on the scene found heavy flames coming from the roof of the home. A second alarm was requested for more manpower to fight the fire, which brought all fire crews to the battle and it took almost an hour to extinguish the fire.

Initial reports indicate that the fire was touched off by a lightning strike. Officials spoke to the residents, who heard loud thunder, experienced electrical problems and saw fire coming from the roof of their house. There were no injuries reported, either to firemen or the home’s residents, however the home was a total loss with an estimated value of half a million dollars.

Central County Fire And Rescue crews stayed on the scene through the night, to check for flare-ups, and they were assisted by fire crews from Cottleville, St Charles City and the St Charles County Ambulance District.