Lightning Strikes

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

A lightning strike hit this house and set it ablaze.

House fires caused by lightning strikes are probably more common than you would think. Insurance companies estimate home and commercial losses caused by lightning that are worth billions of dollars every year. 

If you are in your home when the lightning strikes, you will hear a loud explosive sound. In older homes, it is likely that your house and everything in it will shake. In newer homes, most of them have been built to withstand and absorb a lightning strike, reducing the shake. However, the exterior damage and shaking is usually minor compared to the aftermath, which is the main concern.

The tough part about lightning striking your home is that if a fire is started, you may not notice until it is too late. The fire could start in an attic or in the walls for instance. You should contact your local fire department right away, even if you don't see any smoke or fire. If the fire department clears your home, the next thing you should do is follow up with an electrician to inspect your home and make sure no fire hazards were created by the strike. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict if or when a lightning strike will hit your house, but being prepared and knowing what to do in the aftermath will go a long way