Two homes in the Fort Worth area were significantly damaged on Thursday after being struck by lightning.
The Fort Worth Fire Department communicated that during the storms on September 1, two houses were set on fire when lightning ignited the structures.
On the north side of town near West Bond Ranch Road, a neighbor warned a family that their house was billowing smoke. Following a lightning strike, the household heard a popping sound but did not realize what had happened.
After the neighbor’s call, however, the family escaped the house without anyone being hurt.
Across town on the south side of Fort Worth, another house faced a similar fate as lightning turned the building into a blaze. Thankfully, despite significant damage, no one inside was hurt.
Lightning occurs when a significant electrical imbalance exists between a storm cloud and the ground. The bolt can reach temperatures up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit and moves at the speed of light, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Severe Storms Laboratory.
An average of 270 people in America are struck by lightning each year, with 27 of those dying from the incident. Over the course of someone’s life, they have a 1 out of 15,300 chance of being hit, according to the National Weather Service.
When a bolt of lightning hits a structure such as a house, it has the potential to not only do immediate damage but potentially start aggressive fires, which is what happened in Fort Worth.
Safety Insurance warns homeowners, “Often you won’t notice a fire caused by lightning right away; it can hide in attic spaces or inside wall.” They recommend remaining vigilant and calling the local fire department if you know your house has been hit.