Lightning Strike Causes Out Building Fire
 
By Department Chief Mike Cameron
August 15, 2020
 

A strong thunderstorm rolled through portions of Moore County late Saturday evening resulting in numerous emergency responses. Several departments responded to fire alarms, lightning strikes, wrecks and trees and power lines down.
While Cypress Pointe Fire/Rescue was on a weather related wreck on Main Street in Vass they were dispatched to a structure fire in the 400 block of Smith Street in Vass. Smoke could be scene from several miles away and when the first fire officer arrived he reported heavy fire involvement to an out building. Automatic aid departments also responded, including Southern Pines Fire/Rescue, Whispering Pines Fire/Rescue, Moore County EMS and Vass Police,
When Engine 214 arrived they initially used they deck gun to knock down a large volume of fire and then they deployed 2 attack lines to finish extinguishing the fire.
It was determined that lightning had struck a tree nearby and ran in on the building causing the fire. There were no injuries.