COLUMBUS, Ohio – Strong thunderstorms rolled through central Ohio late Sunday night and early Monday morning, dumping large amounts of rain and bringing high winds that toppled trees and lightning that sparked at least one fire.
A fire believed to have started after a lightning strike damaged 10 apartments at The Millington condominium complex in near Mill Run on the Northwest Side, Battalion Chief Tracy Smith said.
Smith told The Columbus Dispatch that all the residents escaped unharmed from before flames engulfed it at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday.
Smith says part of the roof collapsed and flames were leaping 35 to 40 feet in the air. Firefighters believe the fire started after the building was struck by lightning.
The American Red Cross is assisting residents who have been displaced.
About 4,000 AEP customers in Licking and Knox County were without power for a few hours early Monday morning and high winds toppled trees and collapsed a grain silo in Ross County.
High water closed part of I-270 on the South Side.