Lightning strike blamed for 3-alarm house fire in Ballantyne Country Club

CHARLOTTE — Firefighters think a lightning strike may be to blame for a three-alarm house fire in the Ballantyne Country Club Saturday evening.

The Charlotte Fire Department worked to control the fire at the home on Rudolph Dadey Drive.

Channel 9 had a crew at the scene and said flames and heavy smoke could be seen coming from the top of the home.

Fire officials told reporter Joe Bruno that a lightning strike is believed to be the cause of the fire.

“In the summer, we get a lot of lightning storms, and it is not uncommon to see this in the summertime,” Charlotte Fire Division Chief Dave Farnum said.

Channel 9 Meteorologist John Ahrens was tracking the storm as it happened. Pineville, Matthews and Ballantyne were the epicenters of the day’s rough weather, with around 20 lightning strikes happening in that area.

“It pretty much erupted under that spot where it just got so hot, so humid,” Ahrens said. “The storm literally erupted.”

The family who lives there is OK, but there was a slight scare. As firefighters were attacking the flames, one became disoriented, and there was a mayday call. Farnum said the firefighter is OK.

“We are managing the incident obviously, but that becomes our primary focus to make sure we have accountability for all of our crews,” he said.

Several firefighters were treated at the scene for minor heat-related injuries.

More than 60 firefighters controlled the fire in around 80 minutes.

Officials said the fire caused an estimated $1.95 million in damages.

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11 people displaced after northwest Charlotte house fire; fireworks to blame

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