628pm update:
Valparaiso Police say Washington Street will be closed just north of US 30 until at least 7 pm tonight as police and fire crews remain on scene at an earlier fire at Doelling's Decorating Center.  Crews got the call shortly after 5 pm in the height of the storm. A tipster reported flames and smoke could be seen through heavy rains.

It's unknown if the fire was caused by a lightning strike, but investigators are looking into that possibility.





(Photos -- Leigh Ellis)

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Valparaiso Police and Fire are responding to the report of a fire off Washington Street, just a little north of US 30. Washington Street is closed in both directions at the scene.

A tipster reports that shortly after 5 pm flames could be seen coming from a building behind the area of Doelling's Decorating Center during the heavy rains. At 5:30 we received unconfirmed information that the fire was under control.

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