Saturday, December 14, 2024
On Friday, May 31, at approximately midnight, a residence in Pecan Plantation was engulfed in flames following a lightning strike as severe storms swept through the area. Hood County Emergency Services received multiple calls from concerned neighbors who saw the blaze as well as the homeowners.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Stafford of Hood County’s Emergency Operations Center reported that lightning struck the apex of the roof, creating a loud noise that alerted the two residents inside. The primarily volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene quickly and battled the inferno for over three hours, with the diminishing rainstorm offering little help.
Firefighters used a ladder truck to combat the flames from above. The fire consumed the structure despite their efforts, leaving only the exterior walls standing. Tragically, the family pet died in the fire, but there were no human fatalities. This incident was one of five structure fires in the area that day, as storms wreaked havoc throughout Hood County.
In the aftermath, caring neighbors have shown great support and opened their homes to the displaced couple, providing them immediate shelter during this difficult time.
