In the midst of a severe thunderstorm warning, multiple emergency crews responded Friday evening to a structure fire on South View Drive in Lancaster Township. The fire was reportedly caused by a lightning strike.The fire that was extinguished by about 4:30 p.m.

LANCASTER TWP — Butler County emergency departments responded to a fire at about 3:45 p.m. Friday at 302 South View Drive that authorities said may caused by a possible lightning strike.

“We assume that is was (lightning). It kind of makes sense,” said Rob Reeb, deputy fire chief of Harmony Fire District.

Reeb said the first engine to the scene was able to control most of the resulting fire.

Crews also responded from Cranberry Township, Adams Township, Callery, Evans City, Portersville, Franklin and Wurtemburg-Perry from Ellwood City. Harmony EMS and the Lancaster police department responded to the scene.

No injuries were reported. There appeared to be one person home at the time.

“There's minimal damage on the inside at this time,” Reeb said.

The homeowner will need to stay elsewhere.

Reeb said further damage is possible as water settles into the building. He estimates there is about $150,000 dollars in damage.

“The storms are a concern,” he said. “We are expecting more.”

The structure fire was one of many emergency calls heard over emergency dispatch Friday related to a string of thunderstorms that hit southern Butler County.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning Friday evening warning of wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and the possibility of downed power lines and trees.

As of 5:40 p.m. Friday, West Penn Power reported that 1,580 customers were without power. The majority of the outages were in Butler Township.

There was also a report of another lightning strike hitting Whitestown Village. Authorities said that strike only led to a power surge.