By admin 
SOMERTON, AZ (AZFamily) — The monsoon is already being felt across the Desert Southwest, with residents near Yuma reporting multiple lightning-sparked fires in recent days.
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In Somerton, homeowner Terry Smith said his two sons were home when lightning struck a palm tree in their backyard during a recent storm, igniting a fast-moving fire that destroyed his shed.
Smith said the storm seemed to arrive suddenly.
“It was a storm that came out of nowhere, lightning struck, struck in our neighbor’s yard, went through the trees, ended up burning one of our structures,” Smith said.
Smith said he was on his way to board a plane when he received a frantic call from his son, who feared their house could catch fire.
“A hearing that parents don’t want to hear. It was very scary, helpless. He said, ‘Dad, there is a fire and our house is going to burn,’” Smith said.
Smith said he told his son to grab his younger brother, run to a neighbor’s house and call 911.
The flames appeared to spread into multiple backyards, burning several palm trees and Smith’s shed, which he said held tools and family belongings.
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Before fire crews arrived, Smith said neighbors rushed in to help — including a retired firefighter who helped keep the flames from reaching the home.
“Our shed was already on fire, but he did help us keep the house,” Smith said.
Smith said the shed contained items passed down from his father and grandfather, who recently died.
“I am grateful that my boys are OK and we have a roof over our heads, but it still hurts because the memories, getting this close, this is the second time I get this close to it since it happened, so I’m sorry. It’s still quite emotional,” Smith said.
Rural Metro Fire confirmed that lightning sparked the fire. Smith said both of his sons are safe, and no other buildings were damaged.
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