Lightning zap of chimney leads to evacuation of Mizzou fraternity

Severe weather this week led to damage at a fraternity on the University of Missouri Campus.

The Columbia Fire Department responded to an alarm call about 6:45 p.m. Sept. 15 regarding multiple reports of a fire at the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at 507 Kentucky Blvd. There was no visible fire from inside or outside when CFD arrived.

Fraternity brothers reported lightning had struck the structure's chimney and that there was a smell of gas on the third floor. The lighting strike also caused damage to adjacent structures since bricks and construction material were sent flying in multiple directions from the significant force, CFD said.

CFD used thermal imaging to make sure there was not a heat transfer into empty spaces and walls that could have later led to a fire. While CFD personnel d