UDATE: Lightning Strike Sparks Fire in St. Michael Home

The St. Michael Fire Department, Albertville Fire Department and Wright County Sheriff's Department were called to the scene of a lightning strike around 5:30 a.m. Memorial Day, as a severe storm that brought heavy rain and lighting to the area left one home badly damaged. 

According to Wright County records, the home at 13720 48th Street Northeast in St. Michael is owned by Charles Haynes. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 5:30 a.m. and attacked hot spots on the roof, and also cut a hole in the side of the home to gain access to the attic, wetting down insulation to avoid a fire spreading through that area. 

"When we arrived the family was outside," said Steve Hosch, St. Michael Fire Cheif. "The attic was fully involved." 

The family heard the lightning and instant thunder, then smelled smoke. The four residents left the house immediately. 

"I'm assuming a neighbor called 911, because we actually brought them their cell phones," Hosch said.

Jerry Zachman, St. Michael mayor and owner of JZac Inc., led a crew that provided temporary fixes to the roof and siding after the fire was controlled. 

Hosch said the fire had spread quickly throughout the attic, so there was extensive water damage to the top and main floors of the house. 

"I'm pretty sure it's not inhabitable right now," he said. "The sheet rock can get pretty loose with the water we had to use to get that under control. Red Cross was in touch with the family right away." 

No one was injured in the strike. 

More than 30 firefighters fought to control the fire and save the home. St. Micahel had about 20 members on scene, while Albertville provided "about a dozen" volunteer firefighters, Hosch said. 

"We were on scene until about 7:30 a.m.," he said. 

Despite the numerous storms, this was the first direct strike in St. Michael, Hosch said. 

Neighbor Sharon Johnson, the photographer who submitted these images to St. Michael Patch, said she heard the crack of thunder, "said a prayer and then went back to sleep." Moments later, she said, her husband woke her to tell her flames were coming out of the roof of a neighbor's home.