CLARKSVILLE, MD — Lightning caused a house fire Tuesday night in Clarksville, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. The fire broke out before 7 p.m., officials said, and several firefighters were hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

Howard County had been under an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m., with temperatures in the 90s and head indices above 100. At 6:50 p.m., officials said a Clarksville resident heard a loud noise in the 5200 block of Sweet Meadow Lane, went outside and called 911 to report seeing fire coming from the neighbor's roof. Crews from Howard, Carroll and Montgomery counties responded.

After they found fire on part of the roof and in the attic, firefighters brought the blaze under control. Nobody was home at the time of the blaze, officials said.

Authorities said three firefighters were taken to Howard County General Hospital as a precaution due to heat exhaustion. Investigators said the fire was caused by lightning.