Photos/Story by GREG LEAMAN

Lightning was determined as the cause of a three alarm fire at the Woods Edge Townhouse development, Manor Township, PA.

West Lancaster, Roherstown and Millersville Fire Companies along with Truck 6-6 from Lancaster Township Fire Department were dispatched to the Saturday Morning August 3, at 2:10 a.m.

The arriving engine companies advanced hoselines to the second floor of the exposure buildings and began to pull the ceilings to search for fire extension.

Ventilation was performed from the rear of the building using ground ladders to get the second floor windows.

Truck 6-6 arrived and went into service with their ladder tower and applied water from a masterstream above the fire.

The fire was stopped at the initial fire building and did not advance to the exposure buildings due to the firewalls between the townhouse buildings and an initial aggressive fire attack.

After the initial knockdown of heavy fire in the roof area by Truck 6-6, handlines were stretched into the fire building and completed the extinguishment of the fire.

Truck 6-6 cut inspection/ventilation holes in each of the exposure building roofs to search for fire extension and release any smoke or heat that was trapped in the attic areas.

The fire was brought under control at 3:26 a.m.

"The State Police Fire Marshal determined the fire to have been started by a lightning strike.

The fire showed a classic example of how valuable fire walls are in townhouse type buildings.

Fire damage was contained to the home of origin," said Penn Shelley, West Lancaster Fire Company Second Assistant Chief.