Lightning strike causes fire in Utrecht home, disrupts train traffic

Lightning strikes caused a house fire and disrupted train traffic in Utrecht overnight. No trains are running between Utrecht Central Station and Woerden.

According to NS, the lightning struck near Vleuten and caused a signal failure. Signals tell trains when it's safe to proceed. The rail company hopes to have the issue fixed by 10:15 a.m.

A lightning strike also caused a fire at a home on Philipsdaalderhof in Utrecht. Emergency services responded to the scene at around 1:30 a.m.

Firefighters managed to get the blaze under control, but not before it spread to the neighbors’ home. The two homes sustained extensive damage and are uninhabitable for the time being, RTV Utrecht reported. Four homes also sustained water damage due to the extinguishing work.