MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A fundraiser has been launched for a father and son who lost their home and belongings after a lightning strike reportedly sparked a late-night house fire in Mechanicsville.
The fire was reported at approximately 11:35 p.m. on July 4, 2026, in the 25000 block of Timothy Court.
Firefighters responded after a caller reported the home had been struck by lightning and that the attic was on fire. Crews arrived to find fire showing from the roof of the two-story home.
Firefighters quickly went to work extinguishing the fire, deploying multiple hose lines, raising ground ladders to access the roof and using water tankers to support operations in the area.
The fire was knocked by approximately 12:10 a.m. Crews continued pulling siding to access and extinguish hot spots. A secondary search of the home was reported negative.
A GoFundMe organized by Rob Patzelt states Daniel Ahlstrom and his son made it out safely but “lost everything” in the fire, including their home, personal belongings and cherished memories.
The fundraiser states donations will help the family with immediate needs such as clothing, toiletries, food and temporary housing, along with long-term recovery costs including replacing household items, furniture and securing a new place to live.
“Dan is one of the kindest, most selfless people I know, and right now, it is our turn to show up for them,” the fundraiser states.
The fundraiser can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-dan-and-his-son-after-the-fire
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