Lightning strike causes overnight house fire in Columbia, SC officials say

Multiple fires have recently been reported at South Carolina homes, with suspected causes ranging from a mosquito repellent candle to fireworks and possible arson. On Monday night, lightning was the cause of a fire at a Richland County home, according to the Columbia Fire Department.

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Powerful storms swept across the Midlands Monday night, as lightning lit up the skies, and unfortunately also a Hunters Pond Drive home, the fire department said in a news release. That’s in the northeast part of Columbia.

Firefighters were dispatched to the home shortly after 10:20 p.m., where they saw fire coming through the roof and much of the second floor engulfed in flames, according to the release.

Additional crews responded to the home after clearing other nearby calls, as firefighters entered the home and were able to knock the fire down on the second floor and in the attic, officials said. Crews also worked to protect the neighboring home, which was left with some damages caused by the high heat, according to the release.

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All residents of the home escaped safely and there were no injuries, the fire department said.

But the fire caused significant damage and two adults as well as five children were displaced, according to the release.