CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters in Caldwell County are clearing the scene of a building fire they think was started by a lightning strike during heavy thunderstorms Thursday afternoon.
Robbie Wilkie, the Caldwell County Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Marshal, said the fire was reported shortly before 4 p.m. on Smokey Creek Road in Lenoir.
Investigators said they are still attempting to locate the owners of the property. No one was home and there were no injuries.
"It appears that lighting struck a tree about 10 feet from the building and ran through the ground and hit the 8 x 10 outbuilding on the property," Wilkie said. "The lightning actually dug up the ground as it moved."
Wilkie said the other structure on the property, a mobile home, had some vinyl siding melted from the flames, but no other damage.
The shed was totally destroyed and appeared to contain outdoor equipment, officials said.
WSOC
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