Maryland Thunderstorm Sparks Flash Floods, Lightning Hits

Maryland fire officials say a thunderstorm sparked flash flooding in the College Park area, and lightning apparently ignited two house fires. One firefighter was slightly injured, and a cat died in one of the blazes.

Prince George’s fire department spokesman Mark Brady says firefighters helped occupants of about a dozen vehicles stalled in high, fast-moving water Wednesday evening. Part of Paint Branch Parkway was closed when flash flooding occurred.

One fire occurred in the 4300 block of Van Buren Street in University Park, causing about $10,000 in damage. Another blaze caused about $40,000 in damage, injured a firefighter, killed a cat and displaced a family.

Brady says dispatchers took about 200 calls for firefighters and paramedics between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.