Lightning Strike Burns Down Washington County Home: Fire Chief

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Mahtomedi Fire Department Chief Terry Fischer says a lightning strike is to blame after a house burned down in Grant early Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The house is a total loss, according to Fischer.

Just after 1:00 a.m., a neighbor on the 11000 block of Great Oak Trail North called 911 and reported hearing a bolt of lightning followed by a strong smell of gas.

Deputies arrived at the scene while a fire burned inside the house. Two people in the house were able to leave safely with their animals.

However, the house was located in a district without fire hydrants, so water had to be brought in by a tanker shuttle. Crews were still trying to extinguish the fire as of 11 a.m.

The Mahtomedi Fire Department was assisted by fire crews from Hugo, White Bar Lake, Oakdale, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Centennial, Lower St. Croix Valley, Scandia, Marine on St. Croix, Vadnais Heights, Forest Lake, Wyoming, Lino Lakes. Additional assistance was also received by Lakeview EMS the American Red Cross