Lightning strike's impact blows man across living room
RENTON, Wash. -- A man suffered minor injuries when lightning struck his home late Friday morning and started a fire, Renton fire officials said.
The fire started at the home in the 12600 block of SE 104th during an intense thunderstorm, said Renton Deputy Fire Chief Erik Wallgren.
"When first arriving units arrived, they noticed that the power line from the power pole to the house was on the ground and still energized," Wallgren said. "That's probably the most likely spot where the lightning hit the house was at the weatherhead at the roof."
Wallgren said the 57-year-old man who lived in the home was sitting in the living room at the time and was blown across the room when the bolt struck.
The man wasn't hurt from the impact, but was taken to Valley Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Damage is estimated at about $100,000, but may be a complete loss, Wallgren said.
The fire started at the home in the 12600 block of SE 104th during an intense thunderstorm, said Renton Deputy Fire Chief Erik Wallgren.
"When first arriving units arrived, they noticed that the power line from the power pole to the house was on the ground and still energized," Wallgren said. "That's probably the most likely spot where the lightning hit the house was at the weatherhead at the roof."
Wallgren said the 57-year-old man who lived in the home was sitting in the living room at the time and was blown across the room when the bolt struck.
The man wasn't hurt from the impact, but was taken to Valley Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Damage is estimated at about $100,000, but may be a complete loss, Wallgren said.
