Lightning hit the tower at Outer Beaches Realty in Waves Sunday morning.

The original fire call came to Chicamacomico Banks Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department at 9:20 a.m.

Eight Outer Beaches staffers were in the building when the lightning hit with a loud bang. After making emergency calls, staffers evacuated the building. No one was injured.

Two minutes earlier, Chicamacomico Banks received a lightning strike call on Colony Dr. in Salvo. An engine was dispatched to Colony Drive.

A ladder truck was sent to Outer Beaches.

A crew from Avon Volunteer Fire Department arrived at Outer Beaches.

Chicamacomico Banks Capt. Jeremy Carpenter and two firefighters from Avon knocked down the tower fire.

One corner of the tower seems to have suffered intense fire damage. The tower room, originally white, is now black. Sheetrock and insulation were pulled down to inspect for hotspots. Water ran down the walls to the main reception room.

At midday, Outer Beaches staffers were pulling wet items out of the building.

“Outer Beaches never misses a step,” said Edie Siddall, who was outside under a blue awning checking in visitors. Working with her was Crystal Devall.

Electrical power was turned off. Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs and Richard Marlin were inspecting the electrical panels.

On Colony Drive in Salvo, firefighters discovered damage but not fire. The lightning blew two holes through the interior and exterior walls and broke three windows. Firefighters turned off electrical power and the propane supply. A representative of the property manager Sun Realty was taking care of the visitors.