Staff Photo by Jeff Whitten

A fire damaged a home in the 200 block of Mitchell Street Monday. Russell Williams told WBBJ-TV news that he heard a loud clap of thunder and then heard a strange noise coming from his garage. Investigators say lightning is likely to blame for the fire. Williams, his wife and two family pets were in the house at the time of the fire. The pets did not survive the fire. Williams said that he was in the process of getting homeowners insurance when the fire occurred.