Apparently lightning strike causes fire damage to home

New Albany Fire responded to a reported lightning strike that hit a home and smoke coming from the structure at 812 Grandview Dr. just after 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to deputy chief Mark Whiteside.

Fire units along with NAPD and Union SO officers arrived on the scene and reported smoke coming from the structure with fire coming from the roof of the rear of the house. While verifying nobody was in the home crews made entry and found the fire in the utility room area and in the attic, Whiteside said.

Some of the roof damage

The fire was quickly brought under control, while also searching for the family pets. Two cats were located, brought out and an attempt was made revive the pets. The attempts were unsuccessful, however the resident was able to get the family dog out safely.

There was a thunderstorm in the area at the time of the fire and the occupant who was home heard the loud pop and then found the fire coming from the utility room area, the deputy chief said. The resident that was home at the time did make it out safely. A neighbor reported the lightning strike also and thought it had possibly hit their home. Upon further investigation the neighbor saw the smoke coming from the house next door and was the first to call 911.

A check of lightning strikes in the area also confirmed the strike about that time along with a fire fighter at Station One hearing the loud boom of thunder just before the call came in.

“There were no injuries to firefighters or the resident and the home suffered severe fire, heat and smoke damage,” Whiteside said. “Again, we remind all citizens to be sure and have properly operating smoke alarms in their homes.”

Photos courtesy of Mark Whiteside and New Albany Fire Department