photo by Amy Maxwell
Lightning caused damage to two homes in Hamilton County by mid-morning storms on Thursday.
Around 11:40 a.m., a 911 call reporting of a possible house fire at 10135 Meadowstone Drive in the Apison area. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was the first unit on the scene and reported smoke showing in the roofline.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department arrived two minutes later and reported heavy smoke and fire in the attic. Firefighters quickly gained access to the home and extinguished the fire and contain the damage to the attic.
Tri-Community VFD officials reported the cause of the fire was from a lightning strike that hit the roofline of the home and started a fire in the attic. No one was home when the fire broke out. Damages are listed at $40,000.
No injuries were reported, but Hamilton County EMS was on the scene for potential injuries to the first responders.
Once the storm traveled over the Hixson area, a 911 call was made around noon reporting a house fire at 8520 Middle Valley Road. Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting smoke showing from the residence.
Firefighters gained entry in the house to find heavy smoke throughout the house but no fire.
Dallas Bay VFD officials confirmed lightning had struck the homeowner’s heating/air unit and traveled throughout the house and destroyed all the appliances. Damages are reported around $8,000.
photo by Amy Maxwell