Harrison Thorp
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 5:39 am

Fire Investigator Tom Riley walks amid the rubble on Thursday as Milton Fire Chief Nick Marique, background, looks on. (Harrison Thorp photo)

MILTON MILLS - An investigator from the state Fire Marshal’s office declared on Monday that the Thursday fire at 41 Willey Road was caused by lightning.

“After talking to a neighbor who saw the strike, it appears lightning hit the barn,” said Fire Marshal’s Office Investigator Tom Riley.

The five-alarm fire destroyed the barn, but left much of the house intact, said Milton Fire Chief Nick Marique.

The blaze drew firefighters from 10 surrounding communities, Marique said, and resulted in one firefighter being transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Severe thunderstorms shook the area the day of the fire.