Photo from the Hopkinsville Fire Department
Lightning could have been the culprit behind a fire that began early Saturday morning on Redwood Court.
According to the Hopkinsville Fire Department, firefighters were called to the area of Redwood around 5:30 a.m. for reports of a strange fire, and they arrived to find that an underground gas line was actively ablaze in close proximity to a tree and a vehicle.
It created a delicate situation, as attempting to completely extinguish the blaze could cause a backup of gas in the pipeline, increasing the likelihood of an explosion. Firefighters worked to limit growth of the fire, protecting the things exposed to the flames, and keeping surrounding residents safe.
It is believed that a lightning strike from storms in the morning caused the fire.
The gas utility in control of the pipeline was working to mitigate the leak and stop the flow of gas, with firefighters remaining on scene.