Three Burned in Fire Blamed on Lightning

Three people were burned in an apartment fire blamed on a lightning strike during thunderstorms late Sunday evening.

The fire was reported at about 11 p.m. at a home on the 300-block of West Woodin Boulevard as storms packing strong winds and hail as big as golf balls rolled through the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Firefighters arrived and reported thick, black smoke coming from behind a one-story wood-frame home. They quicky discovered the fire was coming from the detached garage, which had been converted into an apartment.

Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said a mother and a father, plus their 6-year-old son, were burned trying to escape the apartment.

Aided by natural gas, the fire was well-advanced when firefighters initiated their attack. Though they were able to extinguish the fire, the unit was completely destroyed.

Of the three, the mother and the son were the most serious, officials said, though all were transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Their names and conditions weren't immediately released.

Fire investigators said a lightning strike started the fire in the unit before it came in contact with the natural gas and rapidly grew beyond control. Initial damage estimates are around $35,000.