Through investigation for the lightning disasters of heritage buildings, two kinds of main ways of lightning-caused fires of heritage buildings were given. The case of lightning stroke prominent parts of heritage buildings was classified. It was found that structure characteristics of heritage buildings that led to the wall and columns become the main flow path of lightning current. The material of heritage buildings breakdown insulation strength, species of wood, heat value and ignition point of wood was discussed. The main reason of heritage building lightning fires was given. According to the reasons of heritage buildings lightning fires, down conductor installation and service facilities shielding measures of different system architecture were given.