Lightning Caused House Fire

At about 3:30 this morning Red Lick VFD was dispatched to a home that was struck by lightning. The home is just a block away from the fire house. Dispatch told us that everyone was out of the house and safe. They were woken by the lightning striking the home and called 911 quickly. That saved their lives and their belongings.

Volunteer fire fighters got to the station quickly considering the driving rain that made driving very dangerous. They drove the fire engine and tanker to the home. On scene there was heavy smoke, but no flames visible. But the smoke was increasing rapidly, indicating a growing fire. The firefighters quickly deployed hoses and started the pumps to attack the fire.

Heavy smoke was pouring out from under the home. That is unusual. Smoke usually comes out of doors, windows and roofs. But we adapted quickly and ripped off the skirting of the home to get water to the fire under the home. To reach the fire we were laying on the ground. That was a good place to be since hot toxic smoke was surrounding us. During the initial attack there was so much smoke that we could not see the end of the hose we were holding. We persisted and knocked the fire down.

Because we were able to get there very quickly due to the closeness of the house fire and the rapid reaction of the people in the home the house was not heavily damaged. Most of the home has only smoke and water damage.

This was the fourth call this month and it is only the sixth day of the month. It is also the second home we saved in the last few days. We are tired. Our gear, hoses, and trucks are muddy and smoky. A big thanks to Madison County Fire for their help. It is great to have them backing us up.

P.S. Keith "Doc" Everitt did a stand up interview with WKYT. Keep an eye out for the story.