Lightning strike blamed for electrical fire, damage to SUV at Vandalia home Tuesday

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike Lightning was blamed for causing damage to this SUV in Vandalia Tuesday morning. Firefighters said a nearby tree was hit by lightning, sending limbs into the vehicle. Several outlets inside the house were also destroyed in the strike. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

By WHIO Staff

VANDALIA — Lighting is being investigated as the cause of damage to Vandalia home and the homeowner’s SUV Tuesday morning, according to firefighters.

>>PHOTOS: Lightning strike damages SUV, causes electrical fire at Vandalia home Tuesday

Crews were called to the house in the 5500 block of Old Springfield Road shortly before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on initial reports of a house fire.

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Investigators determined a tree outside the house was struck by lightning as storms moved through the area. The lightning then traveled underground, went into the house, and burned-out several electrical outlets inside the house, investigators said.

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The lightning strike also damaged the homeowner’s truck parked outside the house with the strike sending several limbs down into the truck.

No injuries were reported.

>>Heavy rain, storms, and possible flooding Tuesday before winter weather returns to end the week

We’ll update this developing story as we learn more.

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike A lightning strike was blamed for causing significant damage to an SUV and blowing-out the electrical outlets inside a Vandalia home Tuesday morning. Firefighters say a tree was hit by the bolt but lightning traveled underground before causing the electrical fire inside the house. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike Lightning was blamed for causing damage to this SUV in Vandalia Tuesday morning. Firefighters said a nearby tree was hit by lightning, sending limbs into the vehicle. Several outlets inside the house were also destroyed in the strike. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)

Old Springfield Road Lightning Strike Several electrical outlets in this Vandalia home were destroyed after lightning hit a tree outside the house, then traveled inside, igniting the outlets. An SUV outside the house was also heavily damaged. (Dontre Drexelius/Staff)