A bolt of lightning is believed to have been the cause of a fire late Monday afternoon at Hokendauqua American Legion, Jones-Quigg Post 739, located at 3739 American Legion Drive, resulting in extensive damage to the 100-foot-long roof and water damage to the social hall.

Whitehall Township Acting Fire Chief Joe Shambo said the 4:25 p.m. fire was serious - a two-alarm blaze that had up to 100 volunteer firefighters from Whitehall and South Whitehall townships and Catasauqua Borough responding.

Though lightning is suspected, Shambo said the cause of the fire has not been officially determined.

Luckily, bartender Terri Nonnemaker and four patrons fled into the drenching rain after calling Bill Bandura Jr., president of Hokendauqua American Legion Home Association, to report that two televisions and a cable box went out and they smelled smoke.

Firefighters, who put out the fire quickly as it spread across the roof, had to deal with not only the fire and heavy smoke, but also thunder, lightning and torrential rain. The fire reportedly began in the area where an air conditioner is housed during the first of two storms that afternoon.

“The building was saved since it is brick. It would all have went up if the building was wood,” Ed Baranski, JAG officer and board member, said Tuesday.

Located in a serene setting far below Front Street, Post 739 is close to the Ironton Rail Trail and Lehigh River and north of the ruins of a large Thomas Iron Works concrete structure.

Worrisome to Legion historian Mike Miller is the condition of a large number of photographs and uniform jackets, a train putz and other historical materials that are stored in the basement.

“The electricity went out, and the sump pump could not be used,” said Miller, referring to potential water damage to the items.

Scheduled at Post 739 was a membership meeting Aug. 1; whether it will be held elsewhere or rescheduled was not known. Picnic reservations at the pavilion are being canceled since there is no electricity.