A family in Dallas Bay lost all they had to a fire that was started by lightning early Friday morning.
At 2:30 a.m., the homeowner called 911 reporting a house fire at 686 Charbell Road. The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof.
Once everyone was accounted for, the firefighters immediately went to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.
According to the homeowner, they awoke to sheetrock falling off the walls in their bedroom. The smoke alarms never woke them up due to the fire being centralized in the bedroom. They immediately evacuated the home and called 911.
According to Chief Marcus Fritts of the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, lightning struck a tree and caused the limbs to catch fire and fall onto the roof of the house. The fire spread from the roof line down the side of the home and entered into the master bedroom.
Dallas Bay requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower. The Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and the Red Bank Fire Department was on stand-by in the Dallas Bay area for any additional emergencies.
Chief Fritts estimates damages at $80,000. The family was insured and will be staying with family members. No injuries were reported.
The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department, the Red Bank Fire Department, Hamilton County EMS and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.