Spartanburg Co. house fire caused by lightning, officials say

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A house engulfed in flames Wednesday afternoon in Spartanburg County was reportedly caused by lightning.

7NEWS viewers sent videos of the fire that took place in Inman.

The Inman Fire Department confirmed Thursday after investigating the scene, that the fire was initiated when lightning struck the home.

Firefighters from seven different agencies responded around 4:30 p.m. to the 300 block of Inman Road. The homeowner reported to officials that he was sitting in his truck waiting for the rainstorm to pass when lightning hit his home. The homeowner then smelled smoke and saw fire in his attic.

The fire took close to four hours to extinguish, firefighters said. Neighbors brought cases of water and ice to crews while they worked on the fire.

“I think it’s amazing you get up here and you have a neighborhood like that, and everybody watches out and takes care of everybody,” said Chris Cothran, fire chief for the City of Inman. “They really don’t know us, but they pile in and take care of us while we’re there.”

Four to five firefighters were treated on the scene due to heat-related issues.

According to the agency, firefighters were able to save some items from the home but investigators confirmed the home is not repairable.

The fire department said another home was also hit by lightning in the High Bridge area prior to this incident but there was no fire.

The house fire remains under investigation by the Inman Fire Department.

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