GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Fire officials now believe a single powerful lightning bolt was responsible for two house fires - one of which they noticed while battling the first.
The fires happened in the 1500 block of Norwood Drive SW outside of Lilburn around 4:20 p.m. Crews arrived at the first blaze to find that the occupant had already gotten out safely. So the next step was figuring out a plan of attack. The flames began in an enclosed porch but soon extended to the attic.
A Gwinnett Fire spokesperson said the construction of an addition to the home hindered their ability to quickly get the fire out and it ultimately took three hand lines and 25 minutes to bring it under control.
But, as crews were in the process of trying to preserve the home's structure from any additional damage they suddenly noticed that the home next door was on fire as well and flames had already begun venting through the windows in the rear of the home.
PHOTOS: Lightning strike sparks fire at two Gwinnett homes
Apparently, the residents of that home were actually outside watching as crews battled the fire in their neighbors' home. They had no idea that there was on fire as well. Firefighters managed to get the second fire under control by entering through the carport of the home.
The first home was listed as unlivable according to a statement from Gwinnett Fire. However, the second home was primarily damaged on the back.
Further investigation uncovered that the second home firefighters ended up working on may have actually been the one that took a direct hit on the roof from lightning. A power surge is suspected of causing the blaze at the neighboring unit - the one that firefighters were initially called to fight.
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