Lightning strike causes fire at Troy doctor’s office (with video, photos)

Published 4:56 pm Thursday, July 26, 2012

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at Troy Family Medicine in Troy, Ala., Thursday, July 26, 2012. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

Patients and staff were evacuated from a Troy doctor’s office after lightning struck the building Thursday afternoon and ignited a fire.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE FIRE

Firefighters responded to Troy Family Medicine shortly before 3 p.m. to find smoke billowing out of two attic-style windows on top of the building.

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“We heard a pop. It was like nothing I’ve ever heard before,” said Dr. Phylecya Cheatham, who was inside the building with a patient at the time of the strike. “It sounded like it was right over our heads.”

Cheatham said she and the staff didn’t realize what had happened until smoke appeared.

No one was injured in the fire.

Patients should not report to Troy Family Medicine on Friday and seek emergency care at Troy Regional Medical Center.

“We’ll be back on Monday if all goes well,” said office manager Vernon Crowe.

WATCH A VIDEO FROM THE SCENE BELOW.