JENKS, Okla. – Large flames erupted near East 125th Court in Jenks Thursday as strong storms rolled into the area.
Lightning is being blamed for that fire in Jenks.
The family lost everything, but they say they are thankful everyone got out alive.
Shawnna Norris was on the phone with her kids during the ordeal—telling them to get into the closet because of a tornado warning.
“They thought it was a tornado but it started smoking and so he went to grab the other two dogs I was yelling at them get out of the house there's a fire then they ran next door,” Norris said.
13-year-old Braden was in the house when the fire started. He says he was worried about his younger siblings and grandma who all made it out alright. The family’s pets— 2 dogs and a cat— didn’t make it out.
"I was thinking about them, I was having a little bit of anxiety because I was shocked in the house got on fire so I felt like I was going to throw up I ran outside and called nine-one-one and we ran to our neighbors,” Braden said.
Firefighters say this fire is the result of a freak accident. They say the odds of this happening are so rare, there really is no way to prevent it.
The Red Cross is helping the family—who will be staying with friends and neighbors for the time being.
House fire in Jenks caused by lighting. House total loss. Red Cross on scene Crews still putting out hot spots pic.twitter.com/uvSfv1OV0W
— Brian Miller KJRH (@Brian_Miller_TV) July 14, 2016
Fire crews reported that the flames were believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. The flames were extinguished around 3 p.m.
House fire in Jenks is out. Firefighters say lightning strike caused it. 3 kids and their grandma made it out safe
— Brian Miller KJRH (@Brian_Miller_TV) July 14, 2016
