Lightning May Have Ignited Fire April 13 on Wishwood Drive +VIDEO

Lightning may be to blame for the fire that partially damaged a workshop building next to a Washington residence Friday afternoon, April 13.

Deputy Chief Tim Frankenberg, of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company, said firefighters responded to the blaze at 1801 Wishwood Drive shortly after 2 p.m.

One person was treated on the scene for a medical issue, Frankenberg said, but there were no other injuries reported.

The fire was fully involved when crews arrived on the scene at the workshop, which had a main floor, basement and an attic, according to Frankenberg.

“It was a late-detected fire,” Frankenberg said. “It consumed all of the contents in the lower level and about half the floor (on the main level). The floor is unstructurally safe.”

A majority of items on the main floor were salvaged, Frankenberg said. While fire crews weren’t able to remove motorcycles in the workshop, they were later found to be in good condition.

“We also salvaged a number of tools and construction materials,” the deputy chief said.

Roger and Susan Langkopf own the home and workshop. Frankenberg said there was somebody at home at the time.

However, it was a retired volunteer firefighter, Marty Risch, who discovered the fire and called it in.

At least 25 Washington firefighters responded. Marthasville crews were called in to move up to Washington stations and ended up helping with overhaul efforts after responding to an accident at Highway 100 at Bedford Shopping Center.

The last fire crew left the scene around 6 p.m., Frankenberg said.