Lightning Blamed for Some Indiana Building Fires

September 20, 2013

Lightning is the suspected cause of some building fires that broke out as a wave of thunderstorms moved across much of northern and central Indiana.

Authorities say a house in the Madison County city of Elwood was destroyed in one of the fires early Thursday. Other blazes were reported at a house near Plymouth and a house and restaurant in Carmel. No injuries were immediately reported.

The storms also dumped heavy rains in some places as it crossed the state. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings or advisories for a time in parts of northwestern Indiana. The weather service estimates that more than 4 inches of rain fell near Rensselaer, causing some road and stream flooding.