Severe storms knock out power, start fires - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A line of severe storms is moving through central Indiana, causing flooding, power outages and possible building fires.

The storms struck Hamilton and Marion County shortly before 7:30 p.m., with the heaviest lightning reported in Hamilton County. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued a short time later for portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Marion and Rush counties.

Several fires were reported in homes and buildings as the storms passed. Eyewitness News has crews headed to the scene of fires in the Fishers and Lawrence areas.

Fishers police reported eight calls about lightning strikes. Emergency crews in Indianapolis responded to nearly a dozen fire calls while the storm blew through.

Six units in the Lake Castleton Apartments near 75th and Shadeland were damaged by fire and water after what residents believe was a lightning strike sparked a fire.

"The lighting struck over my head. I ducked it was so loud," said witness Curtis McClendon

McClendon shot video of fire tearing out did the roof of the apartment complex.

"I saw flames shoot up to 15 feet in the air," he said.

Robert Gibson was in his second floor apartment when the fire started in the roof right above his head.

"I heard a real loud crack. Real loud crack. I thought it was lightning in the distance," said Gibson.

He sat down to watch TV until neighbors knocked to make sure he got our after seeing flames.

"I looked out and saw flames and went running to see firefighters putting the fire out," said witness Bob Willey.

The residents of the affected units were all able to get out of the building unhurt.

An Eyewitness News viewer reported power outages in Lawrence. At 9:45 p.m., IPL reported 600 customers without power in Indianapolis, down from 2,200 at the height of the storm. Duke Energy listed 6,300 customers without power statewide, with about 1,900 of those in Hamilton County at 8 p.m. About 90 minutes later, those numbers were down to 2,400 without power in Indiana and only about 600 in Hamilton County.

Flooding was reported on Broad Ripple Avenue, though the waters reportedly receded a short time later.

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