CINCO RANCH — Lightning likely caused fires at three homes in the Cinco Ranch area during severe storms on Tuesday evening. One of the homes was damaged after lightning struck and ignited a fire in the attic.
Three firefighters were taken to a hospital with minor injuries while responding to the blazes, according to fire officials. A Katy firefighter and a Willow Fork firefighter sustained heat-related injuries but are expected to recover. No residents were injured in the house fires.
Flames were already coming through the roof when firefighters arrived at one of the burning homes. Crews spent about 10 minutes inside the structure to ensure no one was trapped before exiting. Shortly after they left, the roof began to collapse.
Firefighters from the Willow Fork Fire Department and Katy Fire Department responded to the incidents. Crews were able to reach the second home fire in less than three minutes because they were already handling another lightning-related incident nearby.
The Willow Fork Fire Department reported that this was the fourth possible lightning strike fire in the area during Tuesday night’s storm. The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fires, and the incidents remain under investigation.
A Cinco Ranch home was left unrecognizable after the fire and is considered a total loss. The family that lives in the heavily damaged home was not present when the fire started.
"We heard a few big booms, but we thought it was just thunder," Kelly Stewart said. "My mom came over and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I was like, ‘What?’ And she saw the roof on fire. I was just scared and I was hoping that the people inside were safe and okay." Julia Stewart said.