Skip to main content
Sunday, November 1, 2026Nov 1

This story is free to read.

Lightning strike destroys Ooltewah home

lightning-strike-destroys-ooltewah-home
lightning-strike-destroys-ooltewah-home lightning-strike-destroys-ooltewah-home
photo A fire has destroyed an Ooltewah home

Friday night’s thunderstorms did not produce the damage many feared, but caused scary moments for one homeowner in Ooltewah. Lighting struck a home, setting it ablaze while the family slept.

Lightning struck and started the fire around 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the Seven Lakes development in Ooltewah. The homeowner says he feared a tornado was hitting because it was so loud.

“She got up and screamed and she thought actually the tornado hit the house,” homeowner Kumar Gopal said.

Read more at WRCB.