UPDATE (Aug. 15): Investigators from the Baltimore County Police Department’s Fire Investigation Division consulted a lightning strike report that confirmed that a strike occurred directly at the latitude and longitude of 1803 Rambling Ridge Lane before Thursday’s fire.
“It happened fast, furious and it was still raining,” said Clynthia Graham, an apartment resident. “I just happened to look over, and oh my gosh, flames just started shooting up.”
The fire ignited shortly after the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Baltimore County at 3:33 p.m.
“It was a tenant who said he saw it when it happened,” said William Oliver, an apartment resident. “Everybody thought it hit the tree. But in my opinion, it looks like it hit the electrical box. Then, we saw smoke a