By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

LINWOOD – No one was injured in a house fire on Kirklin Avenue that officials said may have been caused by a lightning strike during the Tuesday afternoon storm.

“The owner was in the home when she saw a tremendous white light flash,” Linwood Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Official Chick Kisby said Tuesday, Sept. 9.

He said the woman then noticed a fire sizzling in the kitchen of her home at 403 Kirklin Avenue. He speculated that the blaze was caused by a lightning strike.

The woman was able to leave the house safely with her dog, he said.

The Linwood Fire Department arrived on the scene of the two-alarm fire between 1:30 and 2 p.m. and called for help from the Somers Point, Northfield and Bargaintown fire companies. The Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company helped cover Linwood at the time of the call. About 40 to 45 volunteer firefighters were at the scene to help control the blaze, Kisby said.

The structure is considered unlivable at this time due to heavy smoke damage, even though the flames were confined to the kitchen, Kisby said.

The resident is staying with friends.