CORVALLIS, Ore. -- As thunderstorms rumbled across western Oregon on Thursday, a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, through a fir tree and into the roots, sending a massive dose of energy crackling through nearby trees and into a home on a  secluded forest lot.

In that moment, fire investigators believe every electrical outlet in the house turned into an ignition source, sparking the blaze that destroyed the home of an Oregon State University official.

"The house had fire coming from multiple outlets and any appliance in the house," said Chuck Harris, chief of the Adair Rural fire department, one of four departments that responded to the fire, located about four miles northwest of Adair Village.

"This type of fire with lightning strike, I've only seen one other in a 35-year career," Harris said.

The thunderstorm rolled in around 4:30 p.m. The house fire was reported around 5 p.m., Harris said.

Firefighters saw a large smoke column as they approached and lightning strikes continued to rain down from the sky as they drove to the scene. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, Harris said.

The 41-year-old house is on a wooded site and far from a water source or hydrant.

The owner told firefighters nobody was inside, and firefighters had to truck water in to the remote lot. As a result, firefighters elected to remain on the perimeter and fight the fire defensively.

In addition to Adair Rural, Corvallis sent a fire tender, Albany sent a tender and Southeast Polk sent a fire truck and tender. Tenders carry water to support firefighting efforts.

Firefighters were on the scene for six hours, and the rubble continued to smolder on Friday.

"The house is a total loss," Harris said.

Harris said the department called in the state fire marshal to investigate.

"I called him because we don't see this very often on this side," Harris said. "I think you see it more frequent in Eastern Oregon where you see more lightning storms."

The house went up in flames very quickly, Harris said, supporting the theory of multiple ignition points.

"We have photographs where the lightning strike came down a fir tree that was immediately adjacent to the house, and it looks like it then split into four or five other trees in the vicinity and also the house," Harris said. "Because the fire progressed rapidly, the thought that the high voltage from the lightning strike caused the house wiring to be energized is the supposition that we're going with."

The family's St. Bernard, Henry, managed to escape, but another dog, which had been outside, remained missing. The family said it hoped their pet was hiding and would emerge.

James Coakley, the home's owner, is an associate dean for academic and student services at the university's College of Business.

Coakley declined to be interviewed by KVAL News. Family friends asked a photojournalist to turn around at the driveway to the house.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report