A suspected lightning strike heavily damaged a garage at a home south of De Soto on Monday morning, April 27, De Soto Rural Fire Chief Tom Fitzgerald said.
He said firefighters were dispatched to a fire at 1:35 a.m. in the 2800 block of Harmon Lane off Hwy. JJ. The garage was attached to the residence, and residents were able to get out of the home without being injured.
Fitzgerald said the fire was contained to the garage and a wall channel leading upstairs. He said the house did have heavy smoke damage.
The De Soto, Festus and Crystal City fire departments, the Hematite, Jefferson R-7, Big River, Dunklin, Hillsboro, Mapaville and Goldman fire protection districts, and the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District responded to the fire. The Antonia and St. Clair fire protection districts assisted with other calls. Firefighters remained on the scene until 3:53 a.m.