RHINEBECK – The off again, on again thunderstorms hitting the region over the last number of days resulted in a house catching fire early Monday morning.

A residence at 50 Chester Street in the Village of Rhinebeck was struck by lightning during the storms that passed through the area.

The Rhinebeck Fire Department responded shortly before 2:45 a.m. and was confronted by fire showing through a section of the front roof and third floor with a heavy smoke condition.

Rapid work by the firefighters enabled the fire to be confined to the third floor front area of the house. Fire damage was limited to the third floor and the lower floors sustained smoke and water damage.

Hillside, Rhinecliff and Red Hook departments assisted at the scene with Milan on standby. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and Central Hudson were also at the scene.

More scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the Hudson Valley throughout today.