20-03-2025
Neighbor's Doorbell Camera Captures Lightning Striking House 6 Times: 'Sounds Like a Bomb'
A Texas home was struck by lightning six times over the weekend — and it was caught on a neighbor's doorbell camera.
The Bell County Fire Marshal's Office said in a Facebook post that authorities responded to the home that burst into flames on the 5300 block of Cicero Drive in Belton, Texas, at 5:15 a.m. local time on Saturday, March 15.
"The homeowners were able to get out safely after hearing a possible Lighting Strike hit the roof of the home and then saw flames in the attic space," the fire marshal's office added.
Eventually, the fire was brought under control and the home was saved but did have fire and water damage, though no other structures were damaged.
Related: Scientists Find Body While Testing Water from 'Murky' North Carolina River, Authorities Say
"The home was hit by a negative energy lightning strike, not once, but six times in the same event," the department said. "That lightning event was determined to be the cause of the fire." (PEOPLE has reached out to the fire marshal's office for more information on Thursday, March 20.)
Loranette and Terry Baker were asleep when they were jolted awake by the deafening noise, CBS affiliate KWTX reported. Just seconds afterward, Laurenette ran to her front lawn.
"To me, it sounded like a bomb," Loranette said. Speaking with ABC affiliate KXXV, She went on to say she "thought something exploded over my house."
Related: Woman Gets a Full-Body MRI Scan Out of Curiosity. Turns Out She Was a Ticking Time Bomb (Exclusive)
After the couple checked their doorbell camera, Laurenette said the footage answered a lot of questions.
Meanwhile, it's not the first time lightning struck a home in the neighborhood. KWTX reported that a house on Fenton Lane was damaged after being hit by a bolt in 2022.
Laurenette told KXXV that she was ultimately "thankful" for the outcome of this terrifying situation.
'We are grateful on this street for sure,' she said.
Read the original article on People
