Lightning Strikes Spark Two House Fires in Franklin During Tornado Warning

Firefighters battled the blazes as the area experienced severe weather on Sunday night.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Franklin Fire Department responded to three residential fires over the weekend, including two house fires that occurred at the same time during a tornado warning on Sunday night. Both Sunday night fires are believed to have been caused by lightning strikes, with firefighters battling the blazes while the area was under a tornado warning and experiencing heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning.

Why it matters

Lightning strikes and severe weather can pose significant risks to homes and public safety, especially in areas prone to storms. This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the challenges firefighters face when responding to multiple calls during extreme weather events.

The details

The first fire occurred at 10:06 p.m. on Medford Place in the Dallas Downs subdivision, where a lightning strike caused a power outage and led to a fire in a 4,000-square-foot home valued at $1.2 million. The home was considered a total loss, with front windows blown out and the roof reduced to a frame. About an hour later, at 11:08 p.m., firefighters responded to a second house fire on Stoney Point Lane in the Ashton Park subdivision, where a lightning strike caused significant damage to the upper portion of a 3,500-square-foot home, estimated at around $50,000.

  • On Sunday night (March 16, 2026), the area was under a tornado warning and experiencing heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning.
  • The first fire call came in at 10:06 p.m.
  • The second fire call came in at 11:08 p.m., approximately one hour after the first fire.

The players

Franklin Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the three residential fires over the weekend.

Jon Rossello

A neighbor who heard the lightning strike and realized it had likely caused the fire on Medford Place.

David Green

A neighbor who had not seen damage like the Medford Place fire in his more than 40 years living in the area.

Andy King

The Franklin Fire Marshal who estimated the damage to the Stoney Point Lane home at approximately $50,000.

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What they’re saying

“We heard several very close lightning strikes. And the first one that hit we thought oh my gosh it probably was right within a few houses from where we were and it turned out to probably be this one right here.”

— Jon Rossello

“We know the weather can change quickly, storms can come up really fast, so we always know to be aware.”

— David Green

What’s next

The Franklin Fire Department will continue to investigate the causes of the fires and work with residents to ensure their safety during severe weather events.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and the challenges faced by first responders when dealing with multiple calls during extreme weather conditions. It also highlights the need for homeowners to be vigilant about lightning protection and to have a plan in place in case of a fire or other weather-related emergency.