Intense lightning, deafening thunder and heavy rain swept through Lakeland in the early morning hours of Friday, July 21, 2023, jolting Lakeland residents from their sleep. For one Lakeland family, the storm caused a trail of destruction in its wake when lightning struck the house, starting a raging house fire.
The home, located at 9368 Owl Hill Drive in the Plantation Hills neighborhood, was struck by lightning at approximately 3am Friday morning according to Brent Perkins, Public Information Office with the Shelby County Fire Department. Mr. Perkins said Ladder 65, which is located in Lakeland on Beverle Rivera Drive, was immediately dispatched, and reported seeing fire coming through the roof upon arrival. Additional fire companies arrived, and the fire was out by 3:43am. “Ladder 65 did a fantastic job stopping the fire,” Mr. Perkins told Lakeland Currents.
Mr. Perkins also said the fast actions taken by the homeowners helped keep the fire under control. “The real help in this case was they (the homeowners) did not delay calling 911. They called immediately,” he said. “Anytime you think you might need assistance with a fire is the moment to call, don’t wait and do not delay,” he said stressing that every minute is critical when it comes to house fires.
