Lightning starts Aurora townhouse fire

A lightning strike caused a fire and $80,000 in damage early Thursday morning at an Aurora townhouse, authorities said.

A woman and her dog in one unit of the townhouse in the 200 block of Heather Glen Circle sensed the lightning strike, escaped the home, then called 911, Deputy Fire Chief John Lehman said.

Firefighters responding to the scene were able to contain flames to the attic of one unit in the two-unit building. Crews also protected the first floor from water damage.