Lightning Likely Cause of Early Morning House Fire

Authorites suspect lightning from the that rolled through the area late last night and early this morning was the cause of a house fire at 133 New High Shoals Road.

said a caller to 911 reported the flames about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. No one was home at the time.

Thirty-four volunteer firefighters responded with 3 engines, 1 ladder, 3 rescue trucks, an air truck, and national EMS, he said.  The first engine on the scene arrived within 1-2 minutes, Thaxton reported.

The garage and part of the second floor of home was gutted, he said. The rest of the home sustained water and smoke damage, he added.

Firemen found a family dog alive in the garage but sadly the pet later died while under veterinary care, Thaxton said.

The storms were also credited with downing a tree on Antioch Church Road, and setting off a fire alarm on Christian Terrace, Thaxton said.