Storm Possibly Caused Central Indiana Shopping Plaza Fire

Fire destroyed a shopping plaza in suburban Indianapolis, Ind., with thunderstorm lightning suspected as the cause.

The fire at the plaza in Carmel was reported about 1:30 a.m. on June 22. It gutted the some 10 stores in the plaza, including a Blockbuster video store, a restaurant, a wine store and a tanning shop.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Carmel Fire Marshal Bruce Knott says flames were already shooting through the roof by the time firefighters arrived. Crews had to deal with strong thunderstorms and had to lower their ladders at times because of lightning.

Knott says a lightning strike was the suspected cause, but wasn’t immediately confirmed.