NORFOLK, Va. — A lightning strike hit a home on Granby Street in Norfolk Wednesday evening as strong storms moved through the area.
Someone driving by the home in the 9100 block of Granby Street reported the fire around 3:50 p.m., according to Norfolk Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief and Public Information Officer Glen Williams.
Crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the attic.
No one was home when the fire happened, and there were no injuries.
The fire was under control just before 4:35 p.m.
News 3 talked with a woman whose father and stepmother live at the home.
“It’s awful that that happened,” she said. “I got a frantic text message when I got to work that said 911 [and] the house caught on fire.”
The woman, who did not want to appear on camera, told News 3 it left damage throughout the home.
But she’s grateful for quick action, she said, by Good Samaritans, including a UPS driver, to save their dogs inside.
“They kicked in the front door and searched the house, and they found the 3 dogs. They kind of came in, saved the day, and disappeared,” she told News 3. “Honestly, I’m an animal lover, so as long as those dogs were out of that house, then we’re good to go.”
But Mother Nature didn't just impact homes in Norfolk.
Flooded streets could be seen throughout Ghent.
One thing News 3 noticed Wednesday afternoon in Ghent were stalled cars on flooded roads.
“If they need any help, I’m going to try and help them,” Norfolk native Chris Moore said. “I can’t even get through with my bicycle.”
Folks like Moore and Ashley Ulriksen were trying to navigate through flooded streets.
“Luckily, we like to walk. So, we don’t really drive through this area. But, we’ve kind of had to make some maneuvers,” Ulriksen said. “It’s pretty crazy, honestly.”
As for the daughter of the Granby Street homeowner, she's thankful that no one was injured and hopes to find the Good Samaritans who stepped in to help.
“I’m really appreciative of them. We all are,” she said.
