The Winston County Journal

Two separate lightning strikes may have been the cause of two fires that occurred within minutes of each other on Thursday, August 30.

The Louisville Fire Department had to respond to two separate fires within minutes of each other. The first fire on Pontotoc Street which is suspected to be caused by lightning was contained and extinguished in about 30 minutes. Firefighters first tackled the fire by spraying water into the attic through a vent and then cut two holes in the roof of the one story home to place water directly on the source of the flames.

While several firefighters addressed the Pontotoc Street fire, several other LFD firefighters along with East Winston Volunteer Fire Department who responded as back up tackled the fire at 103 East Ridge Drive. The two-story home was also suspected of being hit by lightning with a fire starting in the attic or upper floors of the home. Firefighters attempted to address the fire earlier in the upper floors of the home but were unsuccessful as flames spread. The home even with dozen of firefighters, numerous hoses spraying and three trucks on scene was quickly engulfed and within hours was completely destroyed by flames.

In addition to the fires, a three-vehicle accident on the bypass snarled traffic bound for the Mississippi State/LSU football game on Thursday. No life threatening injuries were reported from the accident.