La Pine lightning ignites tree; top burns garage-shop

An unusual lightning-related fire damaged a La Pine detached garage-shop late Tuesday afternoon, when a lightning bolt struck a tall Ponderosa pine tree – and its flaming top half broke off, fell and pierced the roof, setting it ablaze, officials said.

La Pine Rural Fire District crews responded around 4:50 p.m. to the reported structure fire from a lightning strike at 16175 Park Drive, said Duty Officer Gary Young.

Crews arrived to find the roof of a two-story, 800-square-foot wood-frame detached garage-shop on fire, he said.

The owners, who were home at the time, said they saw a flash and heard simultaneous thunder, so they went outside to find the tree had been struck by lightning, and the top half broke off and fell through the composition roof, lighting it on fire.

Crews quickly knocked down the fire and began salvage and overhaul, Young said.

The fire was contained to the exterior of the structure, with “moderate damage” to the roof, he said.

There were no injuries, Young said the building was insured; the fire district does not estimate monetary losses.