COLUMBUS — A lightning strike hit a gas supply line to a dryer, sparking a fire that caused around $100,000 in damage Tuesday in Columbus.
The Columbus Fire Department responded to the fire after the homeowner called 911 after discovering smoke in the home around 8:13 p.m. Tuesday in the 3700 block of Pawnee Trail. The caller told firefighters at the scene he had left his home and returned to the smoke alarm sounding.
When firefighters arrived there was smoke billowing from the roof eaves. Inside the home, firefighters found a wall of heavy smoke and intense heat on the second floor.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within 10 minutes.
Based on evidence gathered inside the home, investigators believe the lightning strike damaged a gas supply line to the clothes drier. A portion of the gas supply line sustained electrical arching, resulting in a natural gas-fed fire. The fire melted plastic water supply lines, leading to water damage on the first floor and basement.
