A St. Clair County homeowner is lucky to be alive today, after a fire swept through a home in Burtchville Township early Thursday morning.
Fire officials say a homeowner was home watching TV during a thunderstorm when the house was struck by lightning, sparking a fire in the attic of the home.
Upon their arrival, firefighters found flames coming from the roof and attic of the home in the 6000 block of Laguna Drive around 7:30 a.m. and called for mutual aid from Fort Gratiot and Kimball Township fire departments.
According to authorities, the home’s roof collapsed during the fire, causing extensive fire, smoke and water damage throughout the home.
A passerby saw flames coming from the home and called 911 before going in to the home and helping the homeowner rescue two cats.
Firefighters were still on scene as of 10 a.m. and no injuries were reported.