House fire in St. Marys possibly caused by lightning

ST. MARYS, Ga. — Exclusive cell phone video shows flames burning a local home after firefighters say it was started by lightning.

Flames shot out of the roof as crews worked to put out the fire burning in an attic inside the St. Marys home.

Nobody was inside the house when officials say a lightning bolt hit a tree then jumped to the house sparking the flames.

Flames gutted the home and left a large hole in the roof.

Neighbors described the storm and the lightning strike.

“We heard a very loud crack, the next thing we hear the fire trucks are pulling up,” said neighbor Robert Brown.

The homeowners tell us they have a place to stay but the damage to their house is so bad it will be months before they can move back in.

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Cox Media Group