Lightning strike sparked house fire in Menomonee Falls



MENOMONEE FALLS (WITI) -- People living in a Menomonee Falls neighborhood found out just how dangerous lightning can be early Monday, June 30th.

Although the cause has not been officially determined, based on an early investigation and from what neighbors told them, firefighters believe a lightning strike may have been the cause of an overnight house fire.

“We heard a loud boom, and it shook our house. I looked at my husband and said that hit kind of close,” said Ruthanne Rosser.

It was actually the house right across the street. Rosser said her husband and neighbor immediately ran across the street, after 911 was called, to pound on the door and make sure if someone was inside, they could get out. Luckily there was no one inside at the time. Rosser said it didn't take long after that for several fire departments to arrive on the scene, including crews from Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Butler, Elm Grove, Germantown, and Milwaukee, among others.

It took them close to three hours to get the flames under control. Even though no one was home at the time of the fire, neighbors said it served as a very real and serious reminder for them.

“We do have a fire plan for our family and a meeting spot and you just kind of go well we are going to review that again today because it struck so close to home that it could have easily been us,” said Rosser.

Three Menomonee Falls firefighters were injured at the scene and taken to the hospital. All three were released shortly after.