An Avondale family was displaced early yesterday morning after a lightning strike is believed to have set their house on fire. The fire reportedly began following a loud thunderstorm around 4:30 a.m. The homeowner, Monica Vargas, recounted the chilling moment, saying, "It was just like, boom. It sounded like it was right by. The whole house shook," according to a statement obtained by 12News.
About 20 minutes after hearing the thunder, Vargas and her husband smelled smoke through an opened window and witnessed smoke emerging from their roof. Vargas attempted to combat the flames using a fire extinguisher, and a garden hose before the fire department arrived, but the measures proved fruitless. "The smoke was just overpowering us, you know, I couldn't breathe," she told 12News.
The Avondale Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the fire, which had filled the house with smoke and caused serious damage to the roof and kitchen. In a harrowing effort to save what they could, the fire crews recovered the ashes of Vargas' son and her father-in-law's flag from the burning house, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
The aftermath of the fire left the home significantly damaged, with a kitchen in ruins and a ceiling that had caved in. "It's heartbreaking. I mean, it’s my house, you know," said Vargas in a distraught tone to FOX 10 Phoenix. The family, now without their longtime home, plans to stay elsewhere while assessing the situation with their insurance, and the fire department is providing assistance with temporary housing.
As the Vargas family contends with the abrupt upturn of their lives, the community is reminded of the unpredictable force of nature, and the unforeseen trials it can bring about. While the family looks forward to the possibility of returning to their home, the reality of rebuilding remains. To stay updated on local news and events, including daily newscasts from "Today in AZ" and "12 News," viewers can download the free 12+ app available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
