Lightning Strike Blamed in Wisconsin House Fire

A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Wausau home.

A lightning strike early Sunday started a gas leak. Wausau Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark Krueger says the strike hit a tree next to the house and started a fire near the gas meter. He says the gas line fed the fire as it spread to the house, forcing firefighters to wait for the line to be shut off before they could entirely extinguish the fire despite a downpour at the time.

During the blaze, authorities cleared several blocks around the gas leak because of the explosion risk.

Krueger says the homeowners were out of town.

Officials declared the home a total loss.