Lufkin, TX – Recent thunderstorms in Lufkin have brought not only loud and intense lightning but also dangerous conditions. Lufkin has been hit nearly daily by heavy storms, and while rain chances persist this week, residents hope for a chance to dry out.
According to KTRE, a Hudson family is lucky to be safe after lightning struck their home during a storm on Tuesday. The fire that followed continued to smolder for hours, and despite the firefighters’ best efforts, the home in the 3600 block of Ted Trout Drive is expected to be a total loss. Homeowner James Stewart had just started making dinner when he heard a loud noise, which sounded like a detonation.
Firefighters Struggle With Wrong Address
After the lightning hit, the Stewart family rushed out of the house as smoke poured out from every window and doorway. The Hudson Volunteer Fire Department received the emergency call around 3 p.m., but there were complications in locating the house because of an incorrect address.
Once the address was corrected, the firefighters faced additional setbacks as they tried to control the blaze.
The fire was constantly re-igniting; once an area of the house was extinguished, a new fire would start in another part of the home. Fortunately, six other Angelina County Fire Departments helped fight the fire and get it under control.
What to Do If Your Home Is Struck by Lightning
Lt. Jeffery Burns from the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department warned that while it is rare for lightning to strike a home directly on the roof, it can happen. If your home is struck, you should leave immediately.
Attempting to fight the fire yourself, such as by opening attic doors, could make things worse by adding oxygen to the flames and causing a backdraft, which can be deadly.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the danger lightning can pose and the importance of acting quickly and safely when faced with such situations.