Groton — Lightning is believed to have led to a fire early Tuesday morning that destroyed a condominium unit and damaged another.

Firefighters responded at 5:30 a.m. to a three-alarm fire at 360 Meridian Street Extension, said Groton City Deputy Fire Chief Robert Tompkins.

The fire destroyed the first unit, while also spreading to and damaging a second unit nearby. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about an hour, he said. 

The occupants of the first condo were away on vacation, but the one person who was in the nearby condo was able to safely evacuate, he said. No injuries were reported. 

Both condos were deemed uninhabitable and the American Red Cross was on scene, said Tompkins.

Lightning is believed to be the cause, but the fire remains under investigation, he said.