PIKESVILLE, MD—A lightning strike was the cause of a three-alarm apartment fire in Pikesville on Thursday that brought nearly 100 firefighters to the scene and resulted in minor injuries to two firefighters, according to fire investigators.
The Baltimore County Fire Department announced Friday that investigators confirmed the lightning strike using a report from Core Logic, which indicated a direct hit at the address of 1803 Rambling Ridge Lane.
Fire crews responded at 3:38 p.m. Thursday to reports of a blaze at the apartment building. First-arriving units found heavy fire extending through the roof, prompting a rapid call for a second alarm due to the fire’s intensity. A third alarm was requested shortly thereafter, exacerbated by the heat and humidity, deploying approximately 100 firefighters.
Firefighters worked aggressively to control the flames, which led to a partial collapse of the roof and an interior staircase. No civilians were reported injured. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals, where they were treated and released.
The incident occurred shortly after the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Baltimore County at 3:33 p.m.
Photo via Baltimore County Fire Department
