Can Lightning Strikes Cause Fires?

A bolt of lightning can have temperatures up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously that is so hot that it can immediately start a fire.

Can lightning cause fires?

Many of the most stubborn and costly fires of recent years have been the result of lightning, often of multiple lightning fires in remote areas that burned together. ... Fact: Any air-to-ground strike can cause fire. Often, a lightning hit is not visible immediately, due to the combustibility of the fuel base involved.

Can a lightning strike cause a house fire?

A bolt of lightning is damaging enough on its own. It can puncture a roof, sear the surrounding materials, and tear through attics. ... Lightning doesn't just travel, it can ignite anything that it touches. And if it travels through wiring, the damage can cause an electrical fire from exposed wires anywhere in the house.