Severe lightning storm causes 3 fires in Indianapolis, USA

Thunderstorms packing hail, gusty winds and dangerous lightning have swept across central and southern Indiana.

An Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman says lightning strikes Wednesday were blamed for three fires, including a two-alarm blaze that caused an estimated $250,000 damage to 16 units at an apartment complex.

The National Weather Service reported hail measuring as much as 1 inch in diameter fell in Frankfort, Indianapolis and Jeffersonville. An emergency manager in Indianapolis estimated a wind gust at 60 mph.

The storm downed some tree branches and power lines. Indianapolis Power & Light Co. reported more than 6,000 customers without electricity at one point.

Earlier, a line of thunderstorms that raked northern Indiana Wednesday morning caused some hail damage in Steuben (stoo-BEN’) County and scattered power outages in Elkhart County and elsewhere.