Lightning Sparks Blazes in South Carolina

Sunday evenings line of strong thunderstorms sparked fires that destroyed a home in Simpsonville and a garage in Greenville.

No one was injured in either of the incidents.

Lightning struck a home on Leighton Court in Simpsonville and started a fire on the homes second floor.

Brenda Reed, who was inside the house during the storm, said she heard "a huge pop and, then the power went out."

There were six people, including four children in the home at the home. All got out safely, but the home was a total loss.

Neighbor Mary Houtz said her husband ran over to the house when he noticed smoke coming from the house.

"When he was at the door, by that time, we could see flames coming from the window," Houtz told WYFF News 4s Myra Ruiz.

"Things are important, but the lives are the most important, Reed said. We're safe. We can build from here."

The family spent Sunday night with friends and other family members.

It was the neighborhood's second lightning-sparked house fire in two weeks.

In Greenville, a garage on E. Seven Oaks Drive, off Faris Road, caught fire at about 6:30.

Firefighters were able to stop the flames from reaching the home, which sustained some smoke damage, firefighters said.

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