Lightning is Likely Cause of Westgate House Fire

Lightning may have been the cause of a fire that destroyed an abandoned farm house near Westgate Tuesday afternoon.

Fire crews were called out at about 1:45pm Tuesday, to the property located south of Westgate.

Responding fire fighters found the upstairs of the home engulfed; the building was a total loss.

No one had lived in the home for several years, and no one was injured. The property is owned by Brett Mahoney of Oelwein.

Firefighters from Westgate and Oran battled the blaze for over 2 hours. They were able to prevent the fire from spreading to 2 other buildings.

Authorities note that lightning is the most likely cause of the fire.