Lightning strike believed to have caused natural gas fire in St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A natural gas fire in St. Paul that officials believe was caused by a lightning strike was extinguished just before noon on Saturday.
The fire, which was at Brainerd Avenue and Burr Street, did not extend to homes in the area.
A preliminary investigation from St. Paul fire points to the cause coming from a lightning strike that may have hit a tree. Since there were no nearby homes, crews allowed the free-flowing gas to burn out, which is a typical procedure.
Crews evacuated nearby buildings, and once Xcel Energy arrived at the scene, they turned off the gas and the fire was extinguished around 11:40 a.m.
Firefighters are dealing with an active Natural Gas fire in the street at Brainerd Ave and Burr St. No extension of fire to homes at this time. Crews are evacuating structures and awaiting @xcelenergy crews. The fire is suspected have been the result of a lightning strike. pic.twitter.com/LptEMqM4Gu
— Saint Paul Fire Dept (@StPaulFireDept) August 6, 2022