Lightning blamed for Boonville nursing home fire
Officials are blaming lightning for the a fire this morning at a Boonville nursing home.
Residents at Lakeview Health Care had to be evacuated early Tuesday after they started smelling smoke.
Firefighters say lightning hit the roof of the nursing home, catching attic insulation on fire.
44 residents were evacuated safely and moved to temporary locations, including a retirement community and the Knights of Columbus Hall.
The city’s building inspector and the health department inspected the building before residents were allowed back inside Tuesday afternoon.
Officials say the fire caused approximately $25,000 in damage. The American Red Cross, Boonville Public Schools and numerous other agencies assisted through the evacuation.
