Lightning strikes suspected in house fires

Lightning strikes are suspected of causing two house fires in the Twin Cities area Tuesday morning.

Brooklyn Park fire officials say lightning hit a gas meter on a home, causing it to explode and catch fire about 4:30 a.m. No one was home at the time because the family was in the process of moving out.

In south Minneapolis, lightning is believed to have started a fire in an attic of a home about 5 a.m.

The homeowners said they heard a loud boom, then saw flames on the roof. KSTP-TV reports they all got out safely.

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Information from: KSTP-TV, http://www.kstp.com

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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