Lightning generates 3 fires in Des Moines suburbs

The threat of severe weather advertised last week eased throughout the day Saturday, although thunderstorms were blamed for at least three Des Moines-area fires. Fire crews handled two Johnston house fires caused by lightning strikes. Both involved ruptured gas lines, in houses across the street from each other in the 5600 block of Northwest 52nd Street. Nobody was injured, but both homes had structural damage, said Johnston Fire Chief Jim Krohse.In Clive, a lightning strike was blamed for an attic fire that caused damage estimated at $20,000 at a home in the 9700 block of Clark Street. There were no injuries there, either.