CHARLOTTE — A house fire in west Charlotte was caused by lightning, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.
It started around 4 a.m. Friday at a home on Peacehaven Drive off of Little Rock Road.
STRUCTURE FIRE UPDATE: 6500 block of Peacehaven Dr. Charlotte Fire investigators say the fire was due to a lightning strike to the roof area. The structure had working smoke detectors and the occupants were assisted by @GCRRedCross. Estimated fire loss $9K pic.twitter.com/XOpp4DeHrr
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) July 14, 2023
Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura spoke with neighbor Terry Pinkney who said she was thankful no one was hurt.
“I’m shocked to see that hole in the roof. Happened just a couple feet from where I live,” Pinkney said.
Neighbor Ruth Gobah said she was thankful the fire didn’t spread to her home.
“Thank god, yes it could’ve come to my house too. It could’ve been bad for me,” Gobah said.
Both women said they were used to strong storms but had never seen anything quick like this.
“Sometimes I get a little bit nervous about the wind that comes through here. It really whips through. And you can hear it and feel it but I’ve never ever thought about lightning,” Pinkney explained.
Charlotte Fire said the fire was under control within 10 minutes.
The fire began after lightning struck the roof, investigators said. The home did have working smoke detectors.
The Red Cross is helping the people who lived at the home.
It’s estimated the fire caused $9,000 in damage.
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