Lightning To Blame For House Fire In Grayson

Firefighters say that lightning was to blame for a fire that damaged the chimney of a two-story home on the 700 block of Windsor Place Circle in Grayson Monday evening. The homeowners called 911 around 6:30 p.m. after hearing a loud boom and feeling the house shake, Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services (GDFE) said in a news release.

Emergency services went to investigate and discovered smoke filling the attic and venting from the top of the chimney. Firefighters arrived to find a fire burning in the chimney chase on the side of the house. Crews quickly confirmed that both occupants, a husband and wife, were outside safe and no injuries were reported, GDFE said.

"Firefighters deployed fire attack hose lines and immediately entered the home to extinguish the flames and conduct a primary search. The quick actions of the firefighters stopped the spread of flames and contained the bulk of the damage to the chimney and exterior wall," GDFE said.

According to firefighters, the blaze was caused by lightning that hit the chimney stack as a strong thunderstorm moved through the area Monday.

Firefighters are urging residents to stay weather aware. If you suspect a lightning strike to your home, check the attic and basement first. If both are clear, check the electrical outlets in the main living area. Be prepared to exit the home quickly if you see smoke or flames and call 911 from outside the burning building, GDFE said.