ALBANY, Ind. - A factory building in eastern Indiana was badly damaged by a fire that started after employees saw a lightning strike as a line of thunderstorms moved through the area.

No injuries were reported from the fire Thursday evening at Littler Diecast in the Delaware County town of Albany. The fire left the building gutted and its roof partially collapsed.

Town Fire Chief Derek Mays says crews had to apply a fire-suppressing foam on the blaze because of magnesium and other chemicals in the aluminum alloy die casting factory.

Littler employee Bryan Anderson said he and other workers in a nearby building saw a lightning strike, followed by flames from the factory's smokestack.
___

Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.