Lightning strike causes fire that destroys large Lily home

A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that gutted a home on Spring Cut Road in Lily Thursday night.

Lily Firefighters were called to the home at the corner of Spring Cut Road and Southern Magnolia Road about 5 p.m.

Though the first firefighters were on scene within minutes of the first page going out, Lily Fire Department Public Information Officer Melva Pearce said the home was fully engulfed when they arrived.

"The owners were home," Pearce said. "They told us they heard a boom and the house started filling with smoke.

Pearce added that Lily Fire Chief Greg Franks said it appears the lightning made a direct strike on the home’s electrical system.

Even with the assistance of Campground and West Knox firefighters, Pearce said the fire gutted the house.

No one was injured.

"The owners were able to salvage a Bible, some pictures and jewelry and several guns that had been stored in a gun safe," Pearce said.

The last firefighters left the scene at 11:10 p.m.

Pearce said Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and Laurel County Division of Public Safety assisted firefighters at the scene.