ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. (WHKY) – Firefighters responded Saturday afternoon to a structure fire at 1077 Herman Road after Alexander County Communications received multiple calls reporting a residential fire at approximately 1:32 p.m.

The first units arrived within four minutes and found heavy black smoke coming from the residence. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive attack and encountered heavy fire throughout the basement that had extended into the attic.

According to the occupants, they heard a loud boom and, within minutes, noticed smoke coming from the basement and moving into the home’s living area. The occupants immediately evacuated the residence.

Firefighters faced intense heat and elevated outdoor temperatures while working to contain the fire. A partial collapse of the main floor into the basement also hampered crews’ efforts to access and extinguish the fire in the basement.

The occupants suffered smoke inhalation while evacuating and were treated at local hospitals. As of Sunday morning, one occupant remained hospitalized for observation.

Following an investigation, the fire was ruled natural in origin due to a lightning strike. Neighbors reported seeing lightning strike just behind the residence shortly before the fire was discovered. Severe weather was occurring in the area at the time, and investigators consulted with the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Forest Service. Multiple lightning strikes were confirmed in the immediate area around the time of the fire.

The following agencies and departments responded to the incident:

• Ellendale Fire Department, primary response
• Taylorsville Fire Department
• Bethlehem Fire Department
• Wittenburg Fire Department
• Sugar Loaf Fire Department
• Alexander County EMS
• Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office
• Alexander County Emergency Management
• Alexander County Sheriff’s Office
• Alexander County Rescue Squad
• Alexander County Communications

Because multiple departments were committed to the incident, Hiddenite Fire Department provided standby coverage at Taylorsville Fire Department, while Little River Fire Department of Caldwell County provided standby coverage at Ellendale Fire Department to help maintain emergency coverage in their respective districts.

[Rick Gilbert of WACB contributed to this story]