Lightning Blamed for Deadly West Texas House Fire

Investigators believe a lightning strike caused a West Texas house fire that has claimed the life of a woman.

Menard County Sheriff Buck Miller says 63-year-old Clara Porter was dead at the scene, about 11 miles east of Menard.

Miller told the San Angelo Standard-Times that a man in the home escaped and thought Porter was following him out early Monday. Miller says Billy Moore was treated for smoke inhalation.

Miller says a big lightning storm apparently set fire to the house, which was built in the 1800s. The sheriff says the structure was believed to be one of the first houses in Menard County.

Menard is about 140 miles northwest of Austin.