Lightning Forces Residents From Home

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. (AP) — A lightning strike has driven a couple out of their home in the south Seattle suburb of Federal Way.

KOMO-TV reports the lightning late Wednesday afternoon hit a tree in the elderly couple's front yard and traveled through the root system to the home. The lightning blew out drywall in the house, damaged the gutters and caused a gas line to rupture.

The residents were unhurt but emergency crews won't let them back in until the gas line is fixed.

The house belongs to Karen Garnard's parents, who are in their 80s.

Garnard lives just down the street and says the loudest thunder she's ever heard shook her house.

Puget Sound Energy workers have dug a large hole near the house to repair the ruptured line, but utility representatives say it could take time.

Wednesday's lightning storm was the second in as many days in the Puget Sound region.