CARIBOU – A lightning strike early Thursday morning destroyed a two-story wood-frame home and left a 59-year-old woman homeless.

Inez McIntyre’s home was destroyed by flames, smoke and water. She lost most of her furnishings and personal belongings, and is living temporarily with her daughter.

McIntyre had no insurance, according to Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods. “She could not afford it,” he said Friday. The good news about the incident is that Lynn Easler, her daughter who lived next door, was able to alert the five people in the house. They all left the burning building without injuries.

Easler said Friday that she and her husband heard a loud noise shortly before 1 a.m. The two had awakened to check on their daughter who was sleeping downstairs.

Easler’s husband went to a screened-in porch and saw flames lapping the outside of McIntyre’s home. He called the Fire Department, and Easler went to her mother’s home to alert the people there.

McIntyre, 59, lives alone. On that night, four visitors, Donny and Missy Paradis of the Waterville area and their daughters Natasha and Cheyenne were staying there.”They [the people in McIntyre’s home] had felt some kind of shaking, and two of the adults were up,” Easler said. “I told them all to get out of the house, it was on fire.

“Flames were going up the side of the house and the corner of the roof was also on fire,” Easler said. “We were told lightning struck the wires to the house and started the fire.”

Easler said everyone got out in plenty of time, and the Fire Department responded quickly.

Woods said the Fire Department received the alarm at 12:50 a.m. Firefighters were at the scene, seven miles from the city, at 568 Presque Isle Road, within 10 minutes. Firefighters from the Loring and Presque Isle fire departments assisted in the effort, with more than 20 men at the scene for about four hours.

Woods said there was extensive fire damage to the roof and second floor of the house. The remainder of the home was damaged by smoke and water.

“The home was pretty much destroyed,” the chief said. “Mrs. McIntyre has limited income and could not afford the cost of insurance on her home.”

Woods called the Red Cross to assist the woman. Easler said her mother needs bedroom and living room furniture. They were able to save much of her clothing and were attempting to clean it Friday.

Those who want to assist McIntyre can contact the Aroostook County Red Cross in Presque Isle, or Easler directly at 493-3963.