CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A fire that destroyed a home in Cabarrus County Thursday night was caused by a lightning strike, officials said.
Firefighters responded to a fire off Fairmead Drive, near Fieldstone Drive Thursday. Paul Loffire, a firefighter from Cabarrus County, shared videos and photos of the scene with WCNC Charlotte. Video from the scene showed flames and heavy smoke pouring from the home's roof while crews worked to put out the fire.
Firefighters from the Allen Fire Department and other agencies responded to the fire. Officials say the fire was started by a lightning bolt that struck the home. The fire happened around 8 p.m.
“The storm last night was pretty intense," Parker Freeman said.
After the lightning strike, first came the smoke, then came the flames. As the fire grew, a sense of loss settled in.
“It was pretty gut wrenching; it sucks, nothing you would want to see happen," Parker Freeman said.
It was Parker Freeman's 23rd birthday the day the fire broke out. For now, his birthday will be a reminder of the intense lightning story that damaged his house, a house they barely had time to call home.
“It’s been a year for me, two years for my parents,” Parker Freeman said.
The Freemans said many neighbors came by to offer their help. Parker's mom was home when the lightning struck, but made it out safely.
House fire sparked by lightning strike, officials say
The family kept is staying positive about the situation.
“The chances of your house getting struck by lighting twice are pretty low, lower than the first time, so now I think we’re good for now on," Parker Freeman said.
Good for now, as the family tries to rebuild.
“It’s one of those things you read about and happens to somebody else but then it happens to you, so we're trying to deal with it for what it is, hour by hour day by day," Blaine Freeman said.
The family has homeowners insurance, but said it looks like they're going to have to demolish and rebuild again, which could take at least a year. They're currently being helped by the Red Cross and are being housing in a hotel.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.