UPDATED: Local first responders called to area fires, possible gas leak
As a severe thunderstorm passed through Highland County at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, area fire departments and first responders received multiple calls between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
A structure fire was reported at the home of Norma Johnson on Keplinger Road in Liberty Township. Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District firefighter and public information officer Branden Jackman told The Highland County Press the fire was likely due to a lightning strike.
According to Jackman, minimal damage was reported at the Keplinger Road fire, and there were no injuries. The fire was contained by Paint Creek firefighters.
A second structure fire was reported at the home of Eric Long on state Route 124, also in Liberty Township, just east of Hillsboro. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, Jackman said, but it is believed to also be a result of the storm. No injuries were reported, but there was "significant damage" to the building.
“There was significant damage to that house,” Jackman said. “There was moderate fire damage to the basement and smoke damage to the rest of the structure.”
Lynchburg and Marshall Township provided mutual aid at the state Route 124 location.
Jackman also thanked the Peebles Fire Department for their assistance.
“We were dispatched for mutual aid for a run for Brushcreek,” Jackman said. “The Peebles life squad came up and handled it for us.”
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There was also a report of a possible natural gas leak at Kmart on North High Street in Hillsboro, with customers and employees being evacuated from the building. Pike Natural Gas was dispatched to the scene.
Jackman said that Paint Creek responded to the business twice Tuesday evening – first for an alarm drop, then for a smell of gas in the building. Jackman said that no gas leak was found.
Within the span of a few hours on Tuesday evening, Jackman said the department responded to four alarm drops and several squad runs, in addition to the fires.