Track and field coach, Ralph Spry's, home: in Tamplin Farms was struck by lightning last Tuesday afternoon. The fire was under control in 30 minutes, but the house is extensively damaged. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR
Auburn track and field coach Ralph Spry and family watched helplessly as their home in Tamplin Farms subdivision burned after being struck by lightning last Tuesday afternoon.
“A house fire is something that you always hear of happening, but you never really think it will happen to you until it actually does,” Spry said. “That goes with any tragedy.”
Authorities responded to the call at approximately 4:30 p.m. and within 30 minutes, the house’s roof was completely engulfed in flames.
The Auburn Fire Division and the Southwest Lee County Volunteer Fire Department concluded the fire started in the attic of the Spry home and did extensive damage.
“We had a lot of lightning in the area on Tuesday because of the severe weather, and it’s always possible for lightning fires to result when that’s the case,” said Auburn Fire Division Training Chief John Lankford.
It took the two departments 30 minutes to get the fire under control, and units were on the scene for approximately 4 hours.
“We respond to several lightning related house fires a year,” Lankford said. “Most of the time, they don’t involve burning the house as heavily as the Spry home was, though. Lightning fires are usually easy to control because they just smolder.”
Firefighters were able to save many personal items from the blaze, and the Spry family was extremely grateful no one was injured in the incident.
“We’re doing OK,” Spry said. “The support the Auburn family has shown me and my family has been overwhelming, it’s been wonderful, and I am extremely grateful.”
