At 11:32 PM on Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Clear Lake Fire Department responded to a report of a kitchen stove on fire at 2213 North Shore Drive. Upon arrival, crews observed smoke inside the residence and quickly determined the fire originated in the basement below the kitchen.
Firefighters advanced a hose line into the basement and located the active fire. Crews remained on scene for approximately two hours, working to extinguish the blaze and ventilate smoke from the structure.
An investigation revealed the cause of the fire to be a lightning strike that hit a power pole outside the residence. The strike energized the neutral wire and ruptured a gas line in two locations, leading to a fire in the ceiling of the basement in two different locations.
Clear Lake Fire Department responded with 13 firefighters, utilizing one ladder truck, one engine, one medic unit, and the command truck. The Ventura Fire Department provided mutual aid with one engine and six firefighters. Additional support was provided by the Clear Lake Police Department and Alliant Energy.
No injuries were reported.
Property damage is estimated at $300,000, the CLFD said. The property is assessed at over $1.5 million and is owned by Thomas Witt and Julie Dankle, records show.