Lightning strikes and causes house fire - Tucson News Now

Lightning strikes and causes house fire, family remains thankful

The Clerget family is thankful they were home at the time the fire happened. Otherwise, the fire could have been a total loss. The Clerget family is thankful they were home at the time the fire happened. Otherwise, the fire could have been a total loss.
(WMC) - One Mid-South family felt the brute force of Sunday's storms when their house caught fire due to lightning.

Just before 3 p.m. Sunday, right as the rain started falling, lightning struck Charles and Ruby Clerget's home. They are thankful they were home at the time, as the damage could have been much worse.

Standing outside his home of almost 40 years, Charles Clerget almost cannot believe what he is watching.

"There was an extremely sharp, loud bang. I mean sharp, I've never heard on that sharp before. I know it was right over head," said Clerget.

He ran outside to Hampton Hill Cove check the damage and sure enough, his house was on fire.

"I ran back in and my phone wouldn't work, so I ran next door and got my grandson to call," added Clerget.

By the time crews arrived to the home, the fire had spread across the attic.

Fire crews worked through the rainy conditions, getting it under control quickly. At this time, the extent of the damage is unclear. Firefighters say the upstairs bedrooms got the worst of it.

Clerget says he is glad he was home when the lightning hit and that he spotted it so fast.

"It probably would have been totally burnt by the time somebody else saw it," said Clerget.

Officials say the cause of this fire is likely lightning. 

Thankfully the two have homeowners insurance and since they have family next door, that is where they will be staying for the next few days.

Copyright 2014 WMC Action News 5. All rights reserved.

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