A Newcastle home that caught fire Sunday morning after being struck by lightning was destroyed, according to the town's fire chief.

Fire Chief Clayton Huntley Jr. said the home at 26 Lincoln Lane belonged to Luke Houghton and his wife, Laura. They have three young children, ages 4, 2 and 5 months.

The family was expected to stay with relatives until other housing arrangements can be made.

"It was a total loss," Huntley said of the home. The family, which was not inside the home at the time of the fire, lost its dog in the fire.

The house was engulfed in flames when firefighting crews from
Newcastle, Damariscotta and Nobleboro arrived about 11:30 a.m. Crews spent more than four hours at the scene.

Huntley said neighbors # there are 12 nearby homes # witnessed the Houghton's two-story home being struck by lightning. The house was located near Damariscotta Lake.