Lightning hits Buford house, causes fire

BUFORD - Lightning is blamed for a fire that damaged a house in Buford Saturday night.

Gwinnett County Fire Department spokesman Tommy Rutledge says it occurred just before 8:00.

"Firefighters responded...to a report from a neighbor of a lightning strike and fire in the 3000 block of Biltmore Woods Drive in Buford," Capt. Rutledge said. "Crews found light smoke showing from a large two-story wood frame house on arrival."

He said a neighbor was outside dousing the exterior wall with a garden hose when the fire department arrived.

"Firefighters contained the fire to the exterior wall near the garage on the left-side of the structure. The fire sent smoke throughout the house. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported."