Weekend storms ignite two House fires in South Walton

South Walton experienced spectacular thunder and lightning storms this past weekend. While these storms offer an impressive display of Mother Nature’s power, they bring a very real danger to homeowners. On two separate occasions homes were struck by lightning and ignited.

The South Walton Fire District received the first call on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.; alerting crews that a residence located at 58 Indiangrass Lane had been struck by lightning and was filling with smoke. SWFD crews arrived on scene moments later to find smoke coming from the roof. 

Crews were able to quickly make entry to the home and access the fire that was located in the attic. As a result of the swift actions of SWFD firefighters, the home was saved and damage was kept to a minimum.  One SWFD firefighter received minor injuries while battling the blaze and no civilian injuries were sustained.

On Sunday, at 2:51 p.m., the SWFD received an all too familiar call that a home, located at 98 Garfield Street, Grayton Beach, had been struck by lightning and was now on fire.

Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the roof of the house.  No one was home at the time. SWFD firefighters were able to gain entry into the home and locate the fire in the attic above a rear bedroom.

Rapidly gaining access to the attic area, the attack crew was able to extinguish the fire. As that was taking place, additional crews were consolidating and covering the furniture to protect it from the fire and firefighting activities. Through the prompt and competent response of the SWFD, the home was saved and damages were kept to a minimum.

Living in Florida, commonly referred to as the “Lightning Capital of the World”, home and business owners may want to consider installing a lightning-protection system. These systems can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500 to protect a private home, and up to $70,000 to protect a high-rise building, according to the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI). Lightning-protection systems provide a designated path for the lightning current to travel and should be installed by specially training professionals.

It neither attracts nor repels a lightning strike, but simply intercepts it and guides it harmlessly to the ground.

For further information, please contact Deputy Chief Sean Hughes at 850-267-1298 or visit our website at www.swfd.org