Fire department responds to lightning-caused house fire

The New Albany Fire Department responded to a house fire on Hunter about the time severe weather hit Friday evening.

Upon arrival, Fire Chief Mark Whiteside reported the driveway to the structure had lightning damage and lightning had run into the home causing a fire in the utility room. Lightning had first struck a tree, run under the driveway causing it to blow outward and then into the home.

“We can’t say enough about how well this crew has responded today,” Chief Whiteside said. “First a line of storms came through. Large hail, severe lightning, heavy rain, tornado warning, and we were dispatched to a structure fire.”

Crews rolled through the severe weather and were able to extinguish the fire with little damage.

“This crew was on top of their game today,” he said.