News Summary
A lightning strike in a Columbia residential neighborhood has resulted in a fierce fire that obliterated two homes, displacing multiple families, including the Gatewood family. Fortunately, all family members escaped unharmed. The fire spread quickly, destroying both residences in roughly seven minutes. The Gatewood family lost many sentimental items, including a family heirloom. Community support has emerged, with a GoFundMe set up for the affected families. Additionally, a fire truck responding to the incident was involved in a collision, resulting in one fatality. Fire officials emphasize the unpredictable nature of severe weather.
Columbia – A lightning strike in a residential neighborhood of Columbia has caused a devastating fire that destroyed two homes and displaced several families, including the Gatewood family who has lived in their Bradford Ridge Lane residence for 17 years. Fortunately, all family members were able to escape safely before the fire rapidly consumed their home.
The incident occurred during a storm when a loud crack of thunder was heard, followed by the Gatewood family’s observance of their neighbor’s house engulfed in flames. Initial reports indicate that the fire spread with alarming speed, devastating both the Gatewood residence and the one next door, rendering the Gatewood home uninhabitable. The scale of the destruction was such that the fire consumed both properties within approximately seven minutes.
Material losses for the Gatewood family include a number of sentimental items, most notably a family heirloom and a valuable sofa set. As the fire erupted, the family was preparing for a quiet evening at home when they were suddenly faced with the unfolding emergency. Porscha Gatewood expressed relief that her family was able to escape, even though they left their home with only the clothes on their backs. Despite having homeowner’s insurance, the impact of losing their belongings will be challenging to navigate.
As firefighters responded to the blaze, a neighbor captured footage of the fire, which circulated on social media. The adjacent house’s occupants were reportedly at dinner when the fire broke out and called 911 as soon as they learned of the incident. Community response has been strong, with neighbors expressing concern for the affected families during the fire. In the wake of the disaster, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the impacted families with immediate relief and recovery efforts.
In addition to the fire incident, an unrelated collision occurred involving a Columbia-Richland fire truck that was responding to the emergency. The truck, with its lights and sirens activated, collided with a sedan, leading to the tragic death of one passenger in the sedan and injuries to four firefighters. Fortunately, those injured have since been released from the hospital. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating this incident as well.
This event serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather and the devastation it can bring to communities. Fire officials and local residents continue to come together to support the families affected, shining a light on the resilience and solidarity often found in difficult times.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Columbia Lightning Fire Destroys Home
- Wikipedia: Lightning
- WIS TV: One Dead After Crash Involving Fire Truck
- Google Search: Columbia fire trucks accident
- ABC Columbia: Updates on Fire Truck Involved in Fatal Crash
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire
- CBS News: Damage Following Lightning Strikes
- Google News: Lightning fire incidents
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
