Lightning strikes tree, destroys home

Several area fire departments responded to a blaze that destroyed a Bevil Oaks home.

Lightning from a storm that rolled through the area on June 16 struck a tree which resulted in a fire that destroyed a home in Bevil Oaks, reported Jefferson County ESD No. 1.

According to Fire Chief Chris Gonzales, after lightning hit a tree it fell onto a home, pulling surrounding electrical wires and sparking the blaze in the 7400 block of Sweetgum Road off State Highway 105.

“When firefighters arrived on the scene, there was heavy smoke and fire on the back side of the house,” Gonzales said.

He said the home was a total loss and reported no injuries to the three people inside the home.

Gonzales added Sour Lake, Saratoga and Beaumont fire departments responded for mutual aid. “We had plenty of water, we just called for mutual aid for manpower,” Gonzales said.