A sudden Arizona monsoon storm turned one Somerton family’s backyard into a fire scene after lightning struck a palm tree and flames spread quickly.
Homeowner Terry Smith said his two sons were home when lightning hit during a recent storm, according to Arizona’s Family. The strike sparked a fast-moving fire that destroyed the family’s shed.
Smith said the storm seemed to arrive without much warning. He was on his way to board a plane when his son called, frightened that the house could burn.
A lightning strike can turn a palm tree, dry vegetation, a fence line, or a storage shed into the first place flames take hold.
The Fire Spread Through the Backyard
Smith told Arizona’s Family the lightning struck in a neighbor’s yard, moved through trees, and ended up burning one of his family’s structures. Flames appeared to spread into multiple backyards and burned several palm trees, along with the Smith family’s shed.
The shed held tools and family belongings, including items passed down from Smith’s father and grandfather. Smith said the loss was emotional, even though he was grateful his sons were safe and the family still had its home.
Neighbors Helped Before Fire Crews Arrived
Smith said he told his son to grab his younger brother, run to a neighbor’s house, and call 911. Before fire crews arrived, neighbors rushed in to help. Smith said a retired firefighter helped keep the flames from reaching the house.
Rural Metro Fire confirmed that lightning sparked the fire. Smith said both of his sons were safe and no other buildings were damaged.
Lightning Can Reach a Yard Before Rain Arrives
The National Weather Service says people should go indoors when they hear thunder and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before going back outside.
NOAA warns that lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from rainfall, which means a storm can still be dangerous even when the worst weather appears to be somewhere else.
For families at home, that means children, pets, yard work, grilling, pool time, and shed or garage trips should move indoors when thunder is close enough to hear.
Backyard Fire Prep Starts Before the Storm
Arizona Extension advises homeowners to prune large tree branches, remove dead wood, and maintain spacing between trees and plants so fire is less likely to move quickly through a property.
That kind of yard work is especially important around sheds, fences, patio covers, stored tools, dry palm fronds, wood piles, and other materials that can feed a fire after a lightning strike.
After a storm passes, homeowners should check the yard from a safe distance before walking near burned trees, damaged sheds, downed branches, utility lines, or hot debris.