Firefighters were called a second time to a home in Cottingham Place, Cranberry Heights, that had been hit by lightning.

CRANBERRY TWP — Firefighters were called back a second time to a home in Cranberry Heights after smoke was reported in the attic, less than a day after the home was struck by lightning.

Fire officials said the smoke first was spotted by workers from Kress Restoration at 2:30 p.m. Monday while they were working in the home on Cottingham Place. The house initially was struck by lightning late Sunday night during the severe thunderstorms that drenched the area. No injuries were reported.

Larry Clutter, Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief, said when lightning strikes a house, some of the heat generated by the strike is stored in the insulation.

The attic then becomes an oven as hot spots are created, and the insulation can catch fire from the immense heat once the insulation dries completely.

Firefighters opened ventilation holes to let pent up heat escape.

Clutter said water shouldn't be used in this situation because heat would be pushed down again. And when the insulation dries completely, the home would once again be in danger of having hot spots. Zelienople and Harmony Volunteer Fire Departments and Cranberry EMS assisted at the scene.