The fire that I am working which I believe to be caused by lighting is to a church. It appears that lighting entered the structure from a buried iron LP gas line no longer in use and arced across from where it was terminated to a newer flex line, puncturing the flex line and igniting the LP. The damage to the structure was limited to the in the crawl space area and some melting to the carpet around a HVAC floor vent inside the structure.

The reduced pressure of the LP having been past the second regulator and the distance between the flame source and the combustible materials of the floor joist and sub-flooring allow for the fire to go undetected until smoke was discovered inside the sanctuary. Another 5 - 10 minutes later, it would have been a different story.

There are several high voltage electrical lines that run in front of the structure. A check of the local electric provider indicates lighting activity on the their power distribution system including the circuit providing power to the church approximately 1 hour prior to the discovery of the fire.

The closest power pole to the structure has two anchor lines attached and there are large trees between the structure and power line. Neither is showing visual indicators of a direct lighting strike.