Lightning Strike Touched Off Church Fire in Ohio

DAYTON, Ohio --

Dayton fire investigators said lightning hit a power pole and touched off a fire at the North Dayton Baptist Church Monday morning.

Fire crews arrived at the church on Lilian Avenue around 7 a.m.

Neighbors said they heard the thunder and lightning and then smelled smoke.

Smoke was already rolling out of the building when the first crews arrived.

Once inside, firefighters quickly put out the fire, but say the damage to the church basement was extensive.

Investigators believe the flames were sparked by a lightning strike to a power pole that feeds electricity into the church and the breaker box ignited.

Neighbor Lisa Murphy said, "I woke up in a room smelling smoke and I thought it was my house."

Murphy said she is sad for the church members who will have to find someplace else to worship for the next few weeks.

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