A Lakeland home was destroyed by fire early this morning after being struck by lightning which also likely caused a grass fire a mile away at the same time.
Brent Perkins, public information officer for the Shelby County Fire Department (SCFD) said today (6.1.18) the house on Kingsridge Drive was 75% involved when fire crews arrived.
Mr. Perkins said the house fire call was received at 2:32 a.m. today and was due to lightning. It is believe the lawn fire off El Hill Road was also caused by lightning.
He said there was some confusion about the address of the house fire and reminded residents who call 911 to be as accurate as possible about the address. The vacant house is located at 9876 Kingsbridge Drive, down a gravel road.
During the same time, the SCFD was responding to a power line down and weather advisories, he added.
He noted it was about a year ago when lightning hit another Lakeland house and the owner died in the fire. It was June 30 and Nancy Allen was killed when lightning hit her house on Gainsborough Drive and she was unable to get out of the house.
Eric McKenzie told Lakeland Currents he lives about 200 yards from the destroyed house and awoke this morning to lots of smoke. He first checked his own house on Wood Green Lane and then started going door-to-door to check on neighbors. In the meantime, he called 911.
He said it was windy, with lightning and pouring rain. A SCSO deputy came and together they went in search of the source of the fire. When located, Mr. McKenzie broke a bedroom window, calling for anyone inside.
He went to another house close by and verified the house was vacant.
Videos courtesy of Eric McKenzie, a neighbor in the Stonebridge area:
https://www.facebook.com/eric.mckenzie1/videos/10217677531636033/
https://www.facebook.com/eric.mckenzie1/videos/10217677534756111/
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
