WATSON ROAD FIRE. Sullivan firefighters were called to 221 Watson Rd. at 3:30 a.m. for a house fire. The fire was extinguished and believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. Pictured is a firefighter setting up a fan to ventilate the home

By James B. Bartle
Wicked weather systems rolled through the local area during the early morning hours of Wed., May 12 complete with hail, heavy rain, strong winds and incredible lightning strikes.
The lightning is believed to have caused two structure fires that damaged two homes in the city of Sullivan.
Sullivan firefighters were called to the home of Garrett Storts, 221 Watson Rd., at 3:30 a.m. for a house fire.
Firefighters arrived at 3:30 a.m. and brought the fire under control at 3:57 a.m.
“We arrived on the scene and the homeowner reported that he was awakened by a bolt of lightning and observed smoke coming moments later from his furnace,” said White. “The homeowner then called 911 and we determined that the fire was caused by a lightning strike and was centered under the home in a crawl space. We had to cut a hole in the floor of the home to access the fire. The home sustained some smoke damage throughout the residence.”
Sullivan Fire was assisted at the scene by Missouri Baptist Ambulance and St. Clair Fire.
Moments later at 4:54 a.m., firefighters were called to the home of Danette Batson, 621 E. Vine St., and arrived at 4:59 a.m.
“When we arrived on the scene of this house fire, the homeowner informed us that she heard a loud pop following a lightning strike and then observed smoke filling up the home and the smoke detectors sounding,” said White. “There was heavy flames coming from the basement of the home and we were able to extinguish the fire. There was heavy smoke and water damage in the home and, again, we believe the cause was from a lightning strike.”
Sullivan Fire was assisted at the E. Vine St. fire by St. Clair and Bourbon Fire Departments and Missouri Baptist Hospital.
Sullivan Electric Department and Missouri Natural Gas were both on the scene to disconnect their respective services for firefighte