Lightning Possible Cause in Sunday House Fire Near Casper
A home was badly damaged in a fire just outside of Casper Sunday afternoon.
At roughly 5 p.m. Sunday, first responders were called to the 3700 block of Squaw Creek Road after smoke and flames were seen coming from a house.
According to a Natrona County Sheriff's Office report, a sheriff's corporal went into the house and crawled through the house and determined no one was inside. A dog was seen running out the back door as a police officer called into the home.
Shortly after, firefighters from Casper and the Natrona County Fire Protection District arrived and extinguished the fire.
Casper Fire-EMS Public Information Officer Patrick McJunkin said lightning is being investigated as a possible cause. In the sheriff's report, the homeowner describes hearing "an extremely loud clap of thunder" not long before the fire started.
No one was injured in the blaze. McJunkin said the home will need extensive repairs before it's inhabitable.
The homeowner told authorities that he has plenty of places to stay along with a camper trailer.