A townhome in the 500 block of Sutherland Court was the scene of a structure fire in the early morning hours of Oct. 16. Strong lightning and thunder traveled through the area before the 2 a.m. call to Oconomowoc Fire Department. The resident told dispatch that she heard “a loud bang followed by the smell of smoke and the smoke alarms sounding,” according to a news release from the fire department. All occupants and pets were out of the residence when emergency crews arrived. Firefighters found smoke visible from the exterior of the home and then moved inside to extinguish the fire. The Red Cross has provided housing for the displaced residents. No one was injured. No damage estimate is available at this time; however, the structure had fire and substantial smoke and water damage. The scene was cleared at 5:30 a.m.; the cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire departments from Dousman, Okauchee, town of Delafield, Lake Country, Stone Bank, Ixonia, Ashippun, Watertown, Sullivan and members of the Western Waukesha County Rapid Intervention Team assisted at the scene. Units from Eagle and Hartland provided “move up“ coverage for the Oconomowoc station during the fire, covering that station while firefighters were at the scene. Multiple units responded as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (“MABAS”)