Lightning fire destroys local home

A Franklin Township home struck by lightning early Monday morning was destroyed by fire. The homeowners, who have lived in the Wildcat Run neighborhood for 11 years, were awakened by a loud boom about 1 a.m. They did a “little investigating, but did not think the lightning hit their home,” an Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman said. Ten minutes later, neighbors were calling 911 and pounding on the door to tell them their home was on fire. They escaped without injury, but the house is likely a total loss.