The storm was centered over the Statham-Bethlehem area and occurred Saturday night.
Lt. Scott Dakin, spokesman for Barrow County EMS, said it was not a fast-moving storm and seemed to sit in one spot forever.
Barrow County Emergency Services also opened up the Emergency Operations Center to help with the increased call volume, Lt. Dakin said.
Interim Fire Chief John Skinner and Battalion Chief Jonathon Franklin manned the center to assist Battalion Chief Mike Stoops and the 911 Center in deploying units for calls and to make sure "we offered the best coverage to our citizens with the units we had available."
Dakin added that the Winder Fire Department helped county units by acting as first responder to a house fire on Brandon Drive which was sparked by lightning during the storm. When united arrived that found fire in one corner of the attic. In additiion, there was another house fire - this one on Commons Park - and within three minutes of that one and it was also caused by lightning. Dakin said there was "significant damage" to the siding and wiring where the bolt hit but there was no fire.
In addition to the weather-related fires Saturday night, Barrow County firefighters were busy early Saturday morning with a fire at a house on Jefferson Road that was started by food that had been left on a stove. The fire was contained to the kitchen and part of the attic.
"Saturday was a busy day for Barrow County Emergency Services and other departments in the area," Dakin said. "We want to thank Winder Fire Department for helping us out on Brandon Drive and also thank the Sheriff Deputies for helping control the flames on Jefferson Road until our arrival."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/8/231193