PADUCAH, KY - Firefighters think a lightning strike may be responsible for a house fire in Reidland on Sunday, according to the Paducah Sun.
 
At around 6 p.m. emergency workers were called to a blaze at 265 Watson Road, off U.S. 68 in Reidland.
 
The home, Owned by Rick and Tracy Hill, was severely damaged and had a partially collapsed roof, making it difficult to determine whether it could be salvaged, said Reidland-Farley fire chief Rick Archer.
 
Most of the blaze was put out by 8 p.m.
 
Hill had been preparing dinner for her family and a friend when she said lightning struck the home during a strong storm. Right after the strike, she thought she smelled smoke, but couldn’t tell if it was coming from within the house.

Following dinner, her husband saw smoke coming from the roof and moved the family outdoors.  Rick Hill went back inside to rescue the family’s dog and to save sentimental items, as the house became engulfed. He was later treated by emergency workers for an abnormally high pulse rate.
 
All six people inside, including a 1-year-old, escaped the house with minor or no injuries. No firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.
 
Firefighters from Reidland-Farley and Hendron fire departments arrived and found most of the northern portion of the house and garage engulfed in flames. The fire is thought to have started in the attic space above the house, possibly from a lightning strike.