ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A lightning strike caused a major house fire Saturday afternoon in the Ellendale community of Alexander County, sending firefighters to the 1000 block of Herman Road after multiple 911 calls reported the blaze.
Crews arrived within four minutes and found heavy smoke and fire throughout the basement that had spread into the attic.
The occupants evacuated after hearing a loud boom and seeing smoke coming from the basement.
Several suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at local hospitals, with one person still hospitalized for observation Sunday morning.
Firefighters also battled intense heat and a partial collapse of the home’s main floor into the basement, making it difficult to reach the fire.
The Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was natural in origin and caused by a lightning strike.
Investigators confirmed multiple lightning strikes in the area around the time of the fire after consulting with the National Weather Service and North Carolina Forest Service.
Five fire departments responded, along with Alexander County EMS, emergency management, sheriff’s deputies, rescue personnel and communications.
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