Lake Saint Louis Home Severely Damaged in Fire

A home on Waters Edge Court belonging to Terry Bell, the president of the American Pool Players Association, was severely damaged in a fire today that is believed to have been started by lightning.

Bell, his wife and a family pet were home at the time. KPLR Channel 11 reported that 15 fire trucks responded to the call after Bell had to leave the burning home and go the fire station himself to report the fire. The home's phone lines were unusable after the lightning strike.

One resident was treated for smoke inhalation.

A video of damage inside the home by Fox 2 News shows the worst-hit area of the home to be the basement rec room, where it is believed the fire started in some wiring behind a big-screen TV. No dollar amount for the damage has been released. The upper floors also sustained damage from heat, smoke and water.

KMOV's website shows some views of the outside of the house.

STL Today talked to Chief Jeff Smith of the Lake Saint Louis Fire Protection District. Smith told STL Today that the home's garage had been damaged in a fire in 1996 that was confined to the garage area.