Lightning suspected cause of fatal fire in Sandwich

SANDWICH — Lightning is believed to be the cause of a house fire in North Sandwich in which a local woman died Thursday night, authorities report.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office identified the victim as Janet Brown, age 84, who died from smoke inhalation, according to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

“At this time in the investigation, the cause of the fire appears to have been a lightning strike,” the Fire Marshal’s Office said in a statement released to the media Friday afternoon.

The investigation into the fire is continuing.

Authorities were alerted to the fire at 247 Bennett St. at about 10:52 p.m. Thursday.

Sandwich Police Sgt. Karl Koch said one section of the house was engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading rapidly when he arrived on the scene shortly before midnight.

The fire summoned firefighters and apparatus from several surrounding communities, he said.

The house is situated 8½ miles from Center Sandwich, close to the White Mountain National Forest.

Brown is listed as the owner of the house, according to town records.