Peabody, Hillsboro, and Walton fire departments responded to a house fire that was likely caused by a lightning strike in the middle of the night May 12.

Peabody fire was called to 966 70th Rd. at 12:53 a.m. Hillsboro and Walton fire departments were later called to assist. The Charles D. and Dora R. Unruh revocable trusts own the home, according to county deeds records.

Peabody Assistant Fire Chief Jim Philpott was incident commander at the fire. He said the fire appeared to have been caused by a lightning strike.

Hillsboro Fire Chief Ben Steketee said he was surprised how well contained the fire was by the time his department was called to the scene at 2:27 a.m.

The house was still standing after the fire, and the exterior — with metal siding and a metal roof — didn’t show much damage, but Philpott thought the house would probably need to be gutted.