Lightning sparks fire in Needham

A two-alarm fire broke out at a South Street home in Needham Tuesday after it was struck by lightning in the early morning hours. Andrew and Judith Spielman were in their master bedroom at 227 South St. at the time of the lightning strike, which set off the home's internal fire alarm, said Deputy Fire Chief Charles Rizzo. The couple and their dog got out safely.

Police and fire personnel arrived just after midnight to find the bedroom roof in flames, Rizzo said. While he said there was "quite a bit of structural damage" to the bedroom roof and garage, the main part of the house incurred only minor smoke damage.

CHRISTINA PAZZANESE