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Lone Tree Lightning Strike Does Major Damage To Home

LONE TREE (CBS4) - Lightning struck a home in Lone Tree during Monday's intense thunderstorms, sparking a fire that heavily damaged the home.

Luckily no one was in the home on Lebrun Court when the bolt hit. It sparked a major fire. Fire crews attacked the flames from the outside, but the damage is extreme.

It will take homeowner Kathy Hassoldt and her husband months to rebuild. They said they are just thankful no one was hurt, saying other things can be replaced.

"It's like this pit in your stomach," Kathy Hassoldt said. "I've not experienced this before."

The Hassoldts had recently installed a gas line on their back porch for a grill. Investigators believe that free-flowing gas from a broken or melted pipe likely contributed to the growth of the fire.

Neighbor Jen Reidel said she heard an explosion.

"I only have one window that faces their house and I just happened to be looking out that window and I saw the flames up 30 to 40 feet," Reidel said.

Reidel knew her neighbors weren't home. She called Kathy Hassoldt, who was at the grocery store.

"I saw the flames from Lincoln and I just kept saying, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' I guess I panicked a little," Kathy Hassoldt said.

South Metro Fire Rescue's response was almost immediate, but they couldn't stop the fire from moving so quickly.

"We attempted to go inside, the fire was too heavy, it came through the roof," Andy Lyon with South Metro Fire Rescue said. "To protect the firefighters, we backed out of the house and basically attacked it from outside."

Kathy Hassoldt said her wedding ring and other valuables haven't been found.

"I forgot to wear them today. I think I'm more sad about that," she said.

Neighbors said it was the third home in the neighborhood to be hit by lightning.

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