Lightning strikes sparked two house fires in the northwest Iowa town of Lake Park this morning.
Lake Park’s fire chief says the first call came in at 8:15 a.m. Fire fighters saw heavy smoke and flames coming out of the west side of the house, above the garage, when they arrived. The fire crew rescued numerous pet birds from the home, doused the fire and vented the billowing smoke. The owner of the house was able to escape before fire crews arrived.
The second call of a burning home in Lake Park came while fire fighters were still at the scene of the first lightning strike. Spirit Lake’s Fire Department was called in to fight that blaze. The fire crew cut holes in the roof and they were able to contain the blaze to the kitchen and bedrooms areas.
Authorities say both homes sustained moderate damage.