Crime & Safety
Lightning Strike Causes Fire At Gwinnett Home Monday
A homeowner said he heard a lightning strike and went outside to find flames on the roof of his home.
SUGAR HILL, GA — A homeowner said he heard a lightning strike and went outside to find flames on the roof of his home so he called 911 Monday. Firefighters responded at 3:13 p.m. to the house fire in the 5500 block of Blue Cedar Drive, NE in Sugar Hill.
Crews arrived to find a fire burning on the exterior roof peak of a two-story, wood-frame house over a basement. The homeowner was already outside, safe, when the fire trucks arrived and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters deployed a fire attack hose line and extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the exterior roof peak and did not spread inside the home. Crews checked the attic for extension and ventilated the smoke. Firefighters did a good job of stopping the spread of the fire and kept it from extending inside the main-living space. Lightning also tripped several breakers in the electrical panel box.
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The homeowner told firefighters that he was inside, when he heard a loud boom and his power went out. He suspected a lightning strike nearby and went outside to check. A strong thunderstorm packing cloud-to-ground lightning was moving through the area at the time.
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“We are fortunate that no one was hurt and that the damage was not more severe,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.
According to fire officials, residents are encouraged to stay weather aware during the summer season and year-round. If you suspect a lightning strike, check your attic and basement first. If you see smoke or flames, get-out fast and call 911. If your home is clear, look outside to see if lightning may have struck a neighbor’s house. Be prepared to call for help and provide a safe shelter.
Equipment on the scene included: two engines, one ladder truck and one medic unit.
Photo courtesy Gwinnett Fire Department
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