Lightning Sparks Major Fire at Pigeon Hills Home with No Injuries

Fire Engulfs Attached Garage After Lightning Strike in Pigeon Hills

A significant fire broke out late Saturday night in the Pigeon Hills area, destroying an attached garage and causing extensive damage to a large home. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

The fire began after a lightning strike hit a house located on the 7900 block of Woodland Drive in Paradise Township. Emergency services were called around 11:50 p.m. on July 26, 2025, according to York County 911 records. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered flames coming from the rear of the attached garage of a single-family A-frame style home. The home was situated on a steep and long driveway, making access difficult for emergency responders.

As the first crews arrived, an explosion occurred within the garage, causing the fire to spread rapidly. This led to the activation of a second alarm, as the situation escalated quickly. Despite the challenges, no injuries were reported, according to United Hook & Ladder officials.

The cause of the fire was confirmed to be a lightning strike that occurred during intense and severe thunderstorms in the region. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze before it could spread to the rest of the home. However, the structure still suffered fire damage, along with significant smoke and water damage caused by firefighting efforts.

The attached garage and the rooms above it collapsed onto the driveway as firefighters fought the fire. In addition to battling heavy flames, the crew had to contend with high humidity, hot temperatures, and torrential rain. The remote location of the home also presented logistical challenges, as there were no hydrants nearby and a 1,900-foot driveway led up steep mountainous terrain.

Firefighters remained on the scene for over five hours on Sunday morning, with many working until around 5 a.m. to clear the area. The incident highlighted the difficulties faced by emergency personnel in rural areas, where resources are limited and response times can be longer.

In the wake of the fire, a GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to support the affected family. By Sunday evening, the campaign had raised over $6,700. The fundraiser can be accessed at www.tinyurl.com/fultonsfiredonation. According to the organizers, the family currently has only the clothes on their backs.

In addition to the GoFundMe, the Hanover Community Church opened a donation center for the family. Items and clothing donations could be dropped off from Monday, July 27, through Wednesday, July 29, at the church located at 1959 Smith Station Road. Donors were encouraged to label bags of clothing according to specific sizes and notify the church if they planned to make a drop-off.

The most urgent needs included women’s size large or medium clothing, size 6 to 8, and shoe size 8-and-a-half, as well as men’s medium clothing and large-tall, pants size 30 x 31 or 38x34, and shoes size nine-and-a-half.

Multiple fire departments and emergency services assisted in the response, including Porters Volunteer Fire Company, Hanover Area Fire & Rescue, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, and several others from surrounding areas. The coordinated effort was essential in controlling the fire and minimizing further damage.

This event underscores the importance of community support and the dedication of emergency responders who work under challenging conditions to protect lives and property.