Lightning strikes keep Houston firefighters busy

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Lightning moving across our area kept firefighters busy answering calls for downed trees and house fires Friday night.

The heavy storms also forced the delays and cancellations of several July 4th celebrations.

Fire crews responded to a garage fire near Synott at Westpark, after reports of heavy flames and several small explosions. The flames spread from the garage into the house. There were no people or pets at home at the time. No one was injured.

Houston Fire Department District Chief Stephen Cichon said the area was subject to a lightning storm about 15 minutes before the incident, but it's unclear whether that was the actual cause of the fire.

Arson is investigating.

As for what we expect weather-wise, Meteorologist Travis Herzog says the deeper moisture that brought us the storms the past few afternoons will sit well west of Houston Saturday, dropping our rain chance down to 20%.

Rain chances rise after the weekend as an upper low develops over Texas and draws deep moisture in from the Gulf.