Investigators Trying To Determine If Lightning Caused Dallas House Fire
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Firefighters were able to tap out the flames, but the investigation into an early morning house fire continues. The question – did a lightning strike spark the overnight Dallas blaze?
Heavy flames and smoke were shooting from the back of the home on Judge Dupree Drive when firefighters arrived around 1 a.m. Smoke filled the air as flames caused a significant amount of internal damage to the home.
A number of lightning strikes were reported in Dallas overnight. Raycene and Jimmy Donaldson, the husband and wife who live at the home said they heard a 'big boom' around 12:45 a.m. but could not tell if it hit their home.
Their granddaughter, Charisse Donaldson, stepped outside with her 11 month old infant in her arms. She saw flames, then quickly moved to get everyone out.
"There were flames on the side of the house. I gave my baby to the neighbor and went back in and got my Grannie and Granddaddy out of the house before the flames got any bigger. By the time we made it out, everything was gone," said Charisse.
Neighbors called 911. No one was injured, but most of the home is damaged by fire and water. A hole in the roof over the garage and kitchen sent insulation falling to the ground. Items kept in the garage, including baby clothes, are ruined.
Officials with the Red Cross are headed to the scene to help the family.
"It's devastating. You don't actually know how it feels until it happens to you," said Charisse.
It took nearly an hour for firefighters to get the flames under control and the house received a considerable amount of flame, smoke and water damage.
Right behind the home, crews with Oncor Energy are working to repair downed power lines. As of 10 a.m., 109 customers in the area were without electricity.
A lightning bolt is believed to have started the fire, as the 911 call initially came in as a lightning strike, but investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause.
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