Lightning Sparks Fires In Metro

Strong storms swept across the state Thursday morning, bringing much needed rain along with some unwanted and dangerous lightning.

Thursday, September 22nd 2011, 8:48 am

By: News 9

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Strong storms swept across the state Thursday morning, bringing much needed rain along with some unwanted and dangerous lightning.

Firefighters say the weather started several fires across the metro. Just after 5 a.m., lightning struck an oil tank battery in the 700 block of S. Ranchwood Boulevard in Yukon. Fire crews managed to put it out in about 30 minutes. Residents nearby were briefly evacuated but are now back in their homes.

Lighting also sparked a fire at an apartment complex near N.W. 178th Street and Western. Flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. There's no word yet on how many residents were affected.

Lightning may also be behind fires at another apartment complex at 8585 Candlewood Drive, and at a house in the 2000 block of N.E. 27th. Those fires were put out within minutes.

No one was hurt in any of the fires.