Pets Killed in House Fire Caused by Lightning Strike

The storms that swept through Gwinnett County last night caused damage in several areas. In Dacula and other parts of the county, high winds knocked down trees. In Lawrenceville, a lightning strike caused a house fire that killed two pets.

When firefighters arrived at the home in 700 block of Continental Drive in Lawrenceville, heavy smoke was visible at the residence. A neighbor reported seeing a lightning strike nearby and saw smoke and fire coming from the residence moments later.

An adult female was in the house at the time of the strike. According to a press release from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, the woman heard a popping sound downstairs. When she went to see what was causing the noise, she discovered the fire. The woman was attempting to rescue several pets from the home when police and fire personnel arrived. Two animals, one dog and one cat, did not survive the blaze.

The fire caused heavy damage throughout the home. Fire investigators suspect lightning struck near the house and traveled inside the home through electrical wiring. A metal fence in the yard was also damaged.

Fire crews were also called to the 3700 block of Willow Wood Way in Lawrenceville after a tree fell on a home. Four people were home at the time a large oak tree was uprooted and fell into the living room area of the home. No one was injured.

In Lilburn, a truck was crushed when a pine tree fell during the storm. The tree also damaged a power pole in the front yard of a residence in the 2900 block of Five Oaks Circle, pulling the electrical service away from the home. No injuries were reported.