Video Click Here

Smoke continues to flow from the home of 81-year-old Martha Smith after lightning struck it around 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon setting it on fire.

 “The house was burning and she was still inside. She didn't know what to do,” said Chief Raymond Parke.

A nearby farm hand witnessed the lightning strike off Lost Fork Road and went to see if he could help.

“By the time he got over there, he went in the house and he couldn't find her, so he came back around the house and then came back and she was standing by the back doors.”

Relatives say Smith was able to get out without injury. It took fire crews around an hour to put out the flames.

“The whole back side of the house was fully involved with fire and smoke,” said Chief Parke.

Family members say the 81-year-old lived here for around 25 years and they say she's now staying with relatives.

As fire crews continue to put out hot spots, family members save what they can.

“The house is a total loss there are a few salvageable things in the house.”  

Smith’s family says everything that can't be salvaged can be replaced they are just happy the 81-year-old is safe.

This is the second fire set by lightning in Richmond in the past week.  A week ago today, a house on Highland Avenue was struck by lightning overnight. Firefighters had to cut holes in portions of the roof to put out the flame.

 Subscribe RSS

  Bookmarks  Email This   Hits : 277

Trackback ( 0 )
Trackback Link for This Article

Comments (0)

Your Comment

Name* Email* Website Title* UBBCode B i u Quote Code List List item Img URL Comment*   0 Characters Verify Code*    Notify me when new comment post on this article.  I have read and agree to Term and Agreement By submitting your comments ABC 36 we reserve the right, at our sole discretion, delete, or deny approval of your comments for any reason at any time without further notice. We do not rent, sell, or exchange your name, personal information, or email address to third-party companies for their marketing purposes. Please allow up to 24 hours for your post to be approved. Thanks from ABC 36 for your comment on our site wtvq.com