Lightning sparks two house fires in Thunder Rock
This home on 120 Southridge Trail in the Thunder Rock subdivision of Marble Falls was struck by lightning, and is considered a total loss after catching fire. Staff photo by Maci Cottingham
Two homes in the Thunder Rock subdivision of Marble Falls were struck by lightning and caught fire in the dark, early morning hours of Monday, June 15.
According to a statement issued by Spicewood Fire Rescue, the department responded to mutual-aid calls with Marble Falls Fire Rescue at 2:22 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. after reports of two separate homes being struck by lightning. The affected residences were located at 320 Lone Cedar and 120 Southridge Trail. No injuries were reported.
A command unit from Spicewood Fire Rescue, whose crew included a resident of the neighborhood, alerted occupants of the Lone Cedar home and assisted with evacuation efforts. The fire at that residence was contained to the attic, resulting in minor damage.
The second home, located on Southridge Trail, was vacant at the time of the fire and was declared a total loss.
“I’m as perplexed as anyone as to why lightning strikes in the Thunder Rock subdivision,” Marble Falls Fire Chief Thomas Crane told DailyTrib.
This is the second instance of lightning striking in Thunder Rock in the last month, with a confirmed strike on May 19 that also drew emergency response.
Several agencies assisted with the response, including the Horseshoe Bay, Granite Shoals, Sunrise Beach Village and Round Mountain fire departments.