GASTON CO., N.C. -- A lightning strike is being blamed for starting a fire that gutted a house in Gaston County.

Neighbors said the booming thunder about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday sounded like a cannon. In fact, the blast was so intense that it shattered a neighbor's window on Cinderella Road, just outside of Dallas.

Melanie Gibson, 56, had to be helped out of the house. She suffered first- and second-degree burns on her back.

She and her sister, Christy Gentry, were both taken to the hospital.