Firefighters, Ameren on scene of fire caused by lightning strike

UPDATE 9:30am: At this time the estimated amount of damage is $10,000. During the investigation crews did notice a slight gas odor. The homeowner says that there was a slight gas leak but crews were able to contain it and all residents are back in the house. Columbia’s Fire Department reminds everyone to check smoke alarms, because working ones do save lives.

UPDATE 6:48am: Fire crews are working to repair a possible gas line rupture in west Columbia, after lightning struck a tree in the area.

Our ABC 17 News crews on scene says several fire trucks and Ameren crews are still on scene in the 4300 block of Royal Aberdeen Street.

Fire officials say lightning struck a tree, causing the tree to catch fire. They say the fire then spread to a nearby home.

Fire crews were able to put the fire out and are now monitoring hot spots in the walls. They say the home is also at rick of a possible gas leak.

The homeowner told out ABC 17 News crews they heard a loud bang, saw the fire and were able to escape the home unharmed.

ORIGINAL: Firefighters responded to reports of an outside fire Thursday morning, possibly caused by a lightning strike.

It happened around 5:45 Thursday morning in the 4300 block of Royal Aberdeen Street.

At least 18 units responded to the scene according to public dispatch records.

ABC 17 News heard reports that a lightning strike had caught a tree on fire and that the fires was threatening a home in the area. We have a crew on the way to the scene and will update this story as we confirm more details.