At 0357 Lewes Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from Rehoboth Beach, Milton, & Medic 104, were dispatched to a working house fire on Lewes Beach. Deputy Chief Steve Evans arrived on the first Engine 82-5 and took command. He reported heavy smoke from a large 3 story beach house. All occupants safely evacuated the structure. The fire was in the attic space beleived to be from a reported lightening strike. The heavy wind and rain from a strong thunderstorm made conditions very difficult, and fire spread quickly throughout the attic area after breaking through the roof and getting fresh air. The initial interior attacks were made with 3 - 1 3/4 hand lines and all crews tried unsuccessfully to pull ceilings and access the attic quickly to stop the spread of the fire. After heavy fire was reported to be throughout the attic command called an evacuation alert and went to a defensive exterior attack using ladder trucks from Lewes and Rehoboth. They were able to knock down the bulk of the fire using master streams. Interior crews then returned to hit the hot spots and perform salvage and overhaul. The roof and third floor were heavily damaged and the entire home received water damage. Additional assistance was given at the scene from Georgetown, Indian River, and Mid Sussex. Also assisting with stand-bys for the involved companies were Slaughter Beach, Ellendale, Millsboro, Bethany Beach, and Laurel. We would also like to thank the neighbors whose garage was used as rehab, due to the weather conditions.