MAPLE GROVE, Minnesota — Editor's note: The video above first aired on Aug. 12, 2019.
Folks across the Twin Cities and Minnesota got a rocky start to Friday, weather-wise, including one family in Maple Grove that now has some home repairs.
A strong storm system moved in from the west bringing heavy rain, lighting and thunder, and strong winds in some places. Downpours were so heavy in some areas that the morning commute was extremely treacherous, especially along Highway 212 in Chaska and Highway 169 in the Shakopee area.
Firefighters responded to a home on the 12000 block of Robin Road in Maple Grove just before 7 a.m. on reports of a fire. An arriving deputy chief saw active flames on the outside of the structure and quickly called for a second alarm. Crews knocked down the exterior fire and then moved inside to check whether flames had made their way inside.
Maple Grove fire chief Tim Bush says lightning was definitely the culprit.
"This house was struck by lightning, started on the outside of the house, was starting to extend up the roof area," Bush shared. His crews were quickly able to knock down the flames before significant damage was done to the inside of the home.
Bush told KARE 11 that the strike may have involved the gas main outside the home. The energy from lightning can travel along gas lines and ignite fires when it arrives at something flammable like a structure. Centerpoint Energy personnel are on scene investigating potential damage to gas supply lines in the area.
A check on rain totals as of 8 a.m. shows that residents near St. Michael received more than 3 inches, while folks near Chaska registered 1.6 inches.
KARE 11 meteorologist John Zeigler says weather will be "active" for the remainder of Friday morning before a dry period that will see temperatures reach near 80 degrees. Around 5:30 p.m. a cold front will move across the state, triggering another round of storms. Some of those could pack a punch.
Stay with KARE 11 throughout the day for the latest weather developments, both online, on-air and through the app.
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