Lightning Strikes Maryland Strip Mall

WASHINGTON --

Lightning was the cause of a three-alarm fire Tuesday at a shopping center in Capitol Heights, Md., according to fire investigators.

It happened at a strip mall about 6 p.m. in the 5300 block of Sheriff Road, officials said.

Authorities said lightning struck a Laundromat, and the fire spread to the rest of the shopping center.

Among the building damaged officials said was a clothing store, a barber shop and a carry out restaurant.

There were no civilian injuries, but officials said a firefighter was sent to the hospital suffering from heat exhaustion.

It took firefighters several hours to get the fire under control.

Investigators estimated the damage to the mall at $750,000.