Ringgold house fire caused by lightning strike

RINGGOLD, Georgia(WDEF) – Three people are displaced on Christmas Eve as the result of an early morning house fire that was started by a lightning strike.

According to Catoosa County Fire officials, a bolt of lightning is what caused fire to erupt at a home on Fieldstone Drive around 3 A.M.

Around the time the fire began, violent lightning storms were moving across the area. First responders told News 12 lightning struck the roof of the home.

"Majority of the fire was in the roof and attic area. There was some extension to the lower floor but firefighters were able to keep most of the fire damage to the roof. It’s going to be a significant loss," said Catoosa County Fire Department Division Chief Steve Quinn.

He also told News 12 that a home next door sustained heat damage as a result of the shooting flames. 

News 12 spoke to a female occupant who was inside the house when the fire began. She said she first heard a lightning strike. Then she said she noticed water coming in from the roof before smelling and seeing smoke. The woman along with two other occupants and a dog managed to run out the home before the fire got out of control.

New 12 spoke to Jason Bone and his son Dylan who live a few doors down from the home that caught on fire. He said he also heard the sound of a loud crash.

"It was really loud. It woke us up. A few minutes later we heard a roar. We stepped out the front door and I saw flames shooting out of this house really high. I live down the road and the heat was just coming this way. It was so hot. We raced down here to make sure nobody was hurt," Bone Said.

Many neighbors including Bone all say the fire could not have come at a more worse time.

"I just feel for them; losing everything right before Christmas so I said if there is anything I can do to help. Luckily their families live in this town so they ave a place to go," Bone said.

Luckily no one was injured.