Fiery Blast From Possible Lightning Strike Punches Holes In Local Home

A possible lightning strike sent a fireball surging out of a local home last week.

Gravois Fire Protection District (GFPD) firefighters were toned out at 1:37 p.m. to 6952 Luvin Road, in Gravois Mills to a possible structure fire. According to GFPD Fire Chief Ed Hancock, Co Mo Electric Cooperative personnel made the call.

According to Chief Hancock, on arrival, firefighters found no active fire in the structure. He said the incident started after an unknown electrical problem, possibly a lightning strike, caused electrical outages in the area. As Co Mo employees were trying to restore power to a number of homes, they reportedly heard a surge on a power line and then observed a fire ball come out of the side wall of the manufactured home.

“Whatever knocked the power out of the manufactured home could have been associated with taking down the grid,” Chief Hancock said. “When they tried to restore power, it blew a hole out of the back of the circuit panel.”

Two holes the size of a silver dollar were found in the exterior wall by the circuit breaker box. The holes went through the panel and the metal siding. No one was at the home at the time of the incident, as the property owners are seasonal occupants. No one was injured in the incident. Seven units and eight personnel responded.