Polk County Publishing Company, P.O. Box 1267, Livingston, TX. 77351 - (936) 327-4357
| Tyler County Booster - Local News Copyright 2012 - Polk County Publishing Company |
Lightning strike destroys second Tyler County Home
Tyler County Booster
by Emily Waldrep
After one house burned down from a lightning strike in Warren on Tuesday, June 12, another house near Warren was struck by lightning and burned to the ground on June 14, just two days after the first fire. The home belonged to Wesley McCollum and was located down County Road 1111 between Warren and Hillister. The home was struck by lightning during the large thunder storm on June 14 and caught on fire. The home was reported to be “a total loss.” Thankfully, everyone escaped the home safely, and the families travel trailer did not suffer any fire damage so the family has somewhere to live until their home is repaired. Many citizens are shocked that two homes in one week were destroyed by lightning, but sadly it is very difficult to prevent the strikes. “The only real way to help prevent lightning strikes are to install a lightning rod,” says Entergy Serviceman Darrel Waldrep. “The rod is installed at the highest point of a home and helps to diffuse a strike if one were to occur.”